Hearn Plans to Return on April 9

Laker broadcaster Chick Hearn, who hasn’t announced a game in three months because of two major surgeries, plans to return for an April 9 game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center.

The 85-year-old Hearn, who had open-heart surgery in December and hip surgery last month, will make his first visit to Staples Center on March 29 in the once-unthinkable role of spectator. The Lakers then leave on a week-long eastern swing.

But upon their return, Hearn will be back behind the Laker microphone where he has been for 42 seasons. He will finish the regular season with four games at Staples Center and a game at Portland and then continue on into the playoffs.

Hearn was last heard doing the play-by-play of the Laker-Golden State Warrior game at Staples Center on Dec. 16, his 3,338th consecutive broadcast.

“The doctors say I’m right on schedule,” said Hearn by phone. “Actually, they say I’m ahead of schedule.”

Steve Springer

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The San Antonio Spurs have not played since Saturday, so they will have had nearly four days off by the time the Lakers arrive at the Alamodome tonight.

The Lakers, meanwhile, will have played the Mavericks twice in the same period.

While a busy schedule often leaves the veteran Lakers vulnerable--the team is 7-8 in the second of back-to-back games--Laker Coach Phil Jackson said that the frequency of quality opponents might work to enliven the Laker legs.

In the next four weeks, only two Laker opponent--the Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns--have no chance at the playoffs.

“It keys us up,” Jackson said. “We’re better off playing good teams.”

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Though the Golden State Warriors were assumed to be a potential destination for former Laker executive Jerry West, an official there said the Warriors wouldn’t be a player.

Robert Rowell, the chief operating officer, told the Contra Costa Times that the Warriors had not contacted West and that they weren’t likely to.

“We haven’t had any discussion with him at all,” he said.

TONIGHT

vs. San Antonio, 5 PST

Channel 9, TNT

Site--Alamodome

Radio--KLAC-AM (570)

Records--Lakers 47-19, Spurs 45-21.

Record vs. Spurs--2-0.

Update--The Lakers beat the Spurs twice in a week in January, by 17 points in San Antonio and then by three in Los Angeles. Shaquille O’Neal did not play in the first game, and Kobe Bryant averaged 27.5 points.

Tim Brown