NBA game of the week: Lakers vs. San Antonio on Sunday

SAN ANTONIO AT LAKERS: Sunday, 6:30 p.m. TV: TWC SportsNet.

The Lakers suddenly have bigger worries than their playoff fortunes. Kobe Bryant’s Achilles’ injury has thrown their future into disarray for this season and beyond. Free-agent-to-be Dwight Howard could either be playing out his final two games as a Laker or securing his spot as the future centerpiece of the franchise. His decision to return would certainly be simplified should the Lakers make the playoffs. But they must first get past the Spurs, whose bid to overtake Oklahoma City for the best record in the Western Conference got a boost Friday when Tony Parker returned after missing two games with soreness in his shins and neck.

—Ben Bolch