Mihm hopes to be back this season

A familiar figure walked into the locker room Tuesday wearing a suit and tie.

And he wasn’t limping.

Lakers center Chris Mihm is with the team for its eight-game trip, elated that his ankle rehabilitation has gone better than expected and that he might return later this season.

“My ankle is coming along really well, ahead of the schedule I was given by the doctors,” Mihm said. “I’ve still got quite a ways to go on it, but my sights have been set on coming back and playing this year. It’s been pretty exciting to me. It keeps me motivated and working hard every day.”

Mihm has undergone two operations since tearing ligaments in his right ankle last March against Seattle. He is listed on the injury report as being out for the season but is making steady progress with a routine that includes swimming and upper-body weightlifting.

“We’re just watching him with some kind of amazement that he’s back out and doing work,” Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said. “He’s not jumping up and down and shooting the ball and running, but he’s back out doing things that make him look athletic again.”

There is no new timetable for his return, but Mihm said he was at least a month away from on-court contact, which would be a key factor. He will begin lower-body work next week using an exercise bike and elliptical machine.

Mihm, in the last year of a contract that pays him $4.2 million this season, averaged a career-best 10.2 points and 6.3 rebounds last season. He underwent surgery last July and again in November.

*

The Lakers couldn’t land Chris Webber, but they were mildly intrigued Tuesday when a familiar face, Eddie Jones, was waived by the Memphis Grizzlies.

Jones’ agent, Leon Rose, said there were brief exploratory talks with the Lakers, although Jones is reportedly leaning toward the Miami Heat after he clears waivers Thursday.

“We’ve been talking with a handful of teams,” Rose said. “He’s evaluating the situation.”

Jones, who began his career with the Lakers in 1994, is in the final year of a contract that pays him $15.7 million this season. He could sign with a team for about $500,000. He has a career scoring average of 15.7 points but is averaging only 5.6 points this season and shooting 37.7% for one of the league’s worst teams.

“I can still defend my butt off,” Jones recently told reporters. “I can still make the open shots. That’s something a lot of teams would love to have.”

TONIGHT

at Boston, 4:30, (tape delayed, 5:30, Ch. 9)

Site -- TD Banknorth Garden.

Radio -- 570; 1330.

Records -- Lakers 27-18; Celtics 12-32.

Record vs. Celtics (2005-06) -- 1-1.

Update -- The Celtics have struggled without leading scorer Paul Pierce, who has missed 20 games because of a foot injury. They would tie a franchise record with their 13th consecutive loss if they fall to the Lakers. Kobe Bryant returns from a one-game suspension in time to play the team he averaged 41.5 points against last season.

mike.bresnahan@latimes.com

*

KEYS TO THE GAME

* Kobe Bryant sat out because of a one-game suspension for striking San Antonio guard Manu Ginobili in the face in Sunday’s game. He averaged 41 points in a season sweep of the Knicks last season.

* The same two categories again affected the Lakers: They were outrebounded, 48-33, and made only 10 of 17 free throws (58.8%).

* Center Eddy Curry (27 points) and guard Stephon Marbury (22 points) were a potent one-two combo for the Knicks.

-- MIKE BRESNAHAN