Jeremy Lin could return to Lakers’ starting lineup, with asterisk

Jeremy Lin might return to the Lakers’ starting lineup Wednesday night against the Clippers, though it’s not a hard-earned promotion.

It’s because point guard Ronnie Price has a broken nose. And flu-like symptoms.

“He came in this morning and he looked pretty bad,” Lakers Coach Byron Scott said of Price on Wednesday.

Lin lost his starting spot after 20 games, replaced by the more defensive-minded Price.

Kobe Bryant is expected to return to the lineup after sitting out Monday’s game against Portland to rest.

Whether Lin starts or not, Scott says one thing remains the same despite the divergent paths of the Lakers (11-24) and Clippers (23-12): “It’s still a Laker town. Purple and gold. It’s still not a rivalry as far as I’m concerned. Celtics-Lakers, that’s a rivalry.”