George Could Sit, but Jackson Ready

Devean George severely sprained his right wrist in the Lakers’ 103-96 loss to San Antonio on Monday and might miss tonight’s game at New Orleans.

It’s uncertain when George, who scored two points on one-of-six shooting against the Spurs, injured his wrist, but if he can’t play against the Hornets, veteran Jim Jackson said he would be ready to make his Laker debut.

“I’m in good shape because all I’ve been doing is working out a lot,” said Jackson, 35, who hasn’t played in a game since Jan. 4 when he was with Phoenix. “It might have been a blessing for me not to put that pounding on my body.”

Jackson, who signed with the Lakers on Monday after being released by the Suns a week ago, practiced with his new teammates for the first time on Tuesday.

“He was moving pretty well and he has a pretty good idea of what to do,” Coach Phil Jackson said. “He’s still not in rhythm of the offense or things like that, but he has a pretty good feel for what’s going on.”

Will Jim Jackson play tonight?

“We don’t know about that yet,” the Lakers’ coach said following Tuesday’s practice. “But we’ll get him in at some point.”

Jackson, a 13-year NBA veteran with averages of 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 872 games, hopes to provide leadership for the Lakers’ younger players.

“Insofar as understanding how to play the game for 48 minutes,” said Jackson, who praised the Lakers’ overall talent level. “They just need to learn how to play the right way. It’s more mentally than physically, especially with this system here.”

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After playing in four consecutive games, rookie forward Ronny Turiaf has not taken off his sweats for the Lakers’ last three.

“We’ve played some tough teams and I’m a rookie,” Turiaf said. “I’m still a little behind, still learning ... I have to get the confidence of the coach. He was comfortable with me in there against Orlando, Boston and [the Clippers]. I’m just trying to get better so when I get called up again, I’m ready.”

Turiaf, along with Andrew Bynum and Laron Profit, did extra conditioning drills following Tuesday’s practice. It’s a routine he plans to keep the rest of the season.

“It’s a matter of playing as much as I can and getting myself fit,” Turiaf said. “The one thing I know I can bring is energy. I definitely feel comfortable and have no fear now that I have my first games in.

“I feel good about how I played. That’s what I do, score points, grab rebounds, block shots, do whatever the team needs. I’m like the Energizer Bunny, my battery just goes.”

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Coach Jackson compared the differences of his team to Detroit and San Antonio, two opponents the Lakers split games with recently.

“Winners know how to win in a certain sense of the word, and find ways to win, and that makes a difference,” Jackson said. “We don’t have that same experience. We don’t have guys who know how to finish games and how to come together.”

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TONIGHT

at New Orleans, 5 PST, Channel 9

Site -- New Orleans Arena.

Radio -- 570; 1330.

Records -- Lakers 31-30, Hornets 31-28.

Record vs. Hornets -- 0-1.

Update -- This will be the Hornets’ first game in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina. The Hornets have lost three in a row but last month they defeated the Lakers, 106-90, at Oklahoma City. Seventh-place New Orleans holds a one-game lead over the Lakers in the Western Conference playoff race. After 61 games last season, the Lakers were 32-29.