Jackson, Bryant keeping in touch

Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson still talk about it every day, a dialogue that starts with something like, “How’s the knee?”

It might not be the most entertaining conversation, with answers such as “feeling good” or, less encouraging for the Lakers, “I’ve got a little swelling,” but it’s still an important daily routine for coach and player.

Bryant had a breakthrough game with 52 points Thursday against Utah and followed it with 29 against the Clippers and 21 Monday against Indiana -- a three-game push that would rival his 35.4-points-per-game average last season -- but some days are better than others for his right knee, which is still not quite 100%.

And now he might face another issue after spraining his right ankle in the third quarter Monday. He left the game and didn’t play again, though he did return to the bench.

“We usually connect every day about how he’s feeling because it’s just such a day-to-day issue all the time,” Jackson said before the game. “It’s not like it’s going to limit or inhibit him, but ... there’s still some things going on.”

Bryant’s elevation and stamina are improving every day. His game production in the last week shows it.

But with the Lakers in the midst of 16 games in 29 days, Jackson hopes to limit Bryant’s game time, even though Bryant continually tells the media he feels fine.

“I think he’s suffering some from excess work and playing long minutes,” Jackson said. “If we keep his minutes under 40 minutes, or 38 minutes a night preferably, he’ll be better off for it. He’ll be able to return and have better games the next day.”

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Sometimes the tables turn, and Jackson gets asked how he is feeling.

Sunday marked two months since his hip replacement. Like Bryant, some days are better than others.

“In my physical therapy work, sometimes I end up being really stiff in the course of the day,” Jackson said, adding that “it’s a six-month process in trying to get back and get that strength. I’m moving better with less pain than I did last year at this time.”

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Kwame Brown had never really been known for his shot-blocking ability -- until this season. He is averaging 1.3 blocked shots a game, more than doubling last season’s 0.6.

“Kwame’s quick on his feet,” Jackson said. “A lot of times, his reactions are so athletic that he surprises people. He’s usually not the type of guy that he’s got someone lined up and someone’s coming at him, he’s going to get a block. He gets blocks in situations where someone might be going through the lane and it’s his athletic, quick move” that can block a shot.

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The tough times continue for forward Brian Cook, who missed two games last week because of an upper respiratory tract infection and missed Monday’s game because of vertigo. He was prescribed medication for the condition and is day to day, a team spokesman said.

mike.bresnahan@latimes.com