Divac Is Playing Down First Game Against Kings

Before the Lakers broke from practice and scattered off to holiday gatherings, Coach Rudy Tomjanovich reminded them Thursday in one final huddle that tonight’s game against the Sacramento Kings is the biggest so far in a young, yet-to-be-defined season.

Tomjanovich didn’t need to remind Vlade Divac, though the veteran center is keeping tonight’s matchup in season-long perspective.

Divac spent the last six seasons with the Kings before signing a two-year, $10.3-million deal with the Lakers in July, returning to the team where he played his first seven pro seasons. Divac, 36, earned $12 million in his final season with the Kings, who allowed him to leave without much of a fight because they feared a steep luxury tax.

Divac, who has played one game with the Lakers since returning from a back injury, downplayed the importance of tonight, throwing out the “just another game” cliche, although others spoke more passionately on his behalf.

“It means a lot to him,” Kobe Bryant said. “I’m sure he wished that he came back sooner and been in a better rhythm for this game. We’re going to try to go out there and try to get this ‘W’ for us as a ballclub and for him individually.”

Divac looked out of sorts Tuesday in his first game back from a herniated disk that caused him to sit out the Lakers’ first 11 games. He did not have a point or a rebound in 5 minutes 13 seconds in a 100-96 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

“I’m trying to work on my game slowly,” Divac said. “[Tuesday] night, five minutes, probably a couple more minutes [tonight to] get back in shape.... I need games where we have a 15-20 point lead so I can really get loose.”

Divac’s scoring and rebounding numbers have fallen in recent seasons, but he averaged 9.9 points and a career-best 5.3 assists last season.

“Every person on this team just can’t wait to get Vlade the ball,” Bryant said. “Just throw it to him and just cut off, and somebody’s getting a layup.”

Divac still has ties up north, a likely reason why he expects a more emotional night when the Lakers play in Sacramento on Dec. 16.

Divac and his wife, Ana, own two restaurants in Sacramento, and Divac has remained close with Peja Stojakovic, talking frequently with the Kings’ All-Star swingman.

“Definitely up there, it’s going to be for me an emotional game because those fans really support me,” Divac said. “They love basketball and they’re so into it. [Tonight’s] game is just like another game.”

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Bryant still feels soreness on the bottom of his left foot and continues to skip practices, a pattern that repeated itself Thursday. Bryant has sat out five of the Lakers’ last six practices, though Tomjanovich said he wasn’t concerned.

“Late in the games, he’s been phenomenal, like a surgeon, finding open men, making plays; it’s been great,” Tomjanovich said. “I haven’t seen it [bother him]. When I ask him, he says, ‘I’m ready to go. I want more, I want more.’ ”

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TONIGHT

vs. Sacramento, 7:30

FSN West, ESPN

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- KLAC (570), KWKW (1330).

Records -- Lakers 7-5, Kings 7-4.

Record vs. Kings (2003-04) -- 1-3.

Update -- After a surprisingly slow start, the Kings have won six consecutive games. Peja Stojakovic is averaging 19.5 points and Chris Webber is averaging 18.9 points and 10.3 rebounds. Guard Bobby Jackson, winner of the league’s sixth-man award in 2002-03, broke out of an early-season slump with 18 points and eight rebounds in the Kings’ 102-96 victory Tuesday over Houston.