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Lakers place Bryant on injured list

Kelvin Cato of the Houston Rockets dunks against the Washington Wizards during NBA action at the MCI Center in Washington, Tuesday. PHOTO: AFP

Kobe Bryant joined Shaquille O'Neal and Karl Malone on the sidelines, leaving Gary Payton as the only healthy Los Angeles Lakers superstar.

Bryant is expected to miss a minimum of two-to-three weeks with an injured right shoulder, the result of a collision with Cleveland's Kedrick Brown on Monday night, the team said.

An MRI exam taken Tuesday confirmed Bryant sprained his surgically repaired shoulder.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson said Bryant won't need surgery, but will probably be placed on the injured list, meaning he'd have to sit out at least five games.

"I don't think there's any long-term effects to something like this," Jackson said.

It's also possible that Bryant could miss a game in February and two in March because of hearings regarding the sexual assault charge he faces in Colorado.

Bryant, the NBA's seventh-leading scorer with a 22.0-point average, was injured with 5.7 seconds left in the first quarter of an 89-79 victory over the Cavaliers when he faked Brown into the air outside the 3-point line and Brown landed on Bryant's shoulder.

In obvious pain, Bryant made three free throws, but left after the period ended and went to the locker room for X-rays, which were negative.

Bryant played a little more than five minutes in the second quarter, but was clearly not himself, running with his right arm hanging at his side. His only shot was a left-handed jumper from outside the foul line that didn't come close, and he was removed from the game shortly thereafter.

Bryant had surgery on his shoulder June 12 -- four weeks after the Lakers were eliminated from the second round of the playoffs by San Antonio. He had an inflamed bursa removed and a frayed labrum trimmed in his shoulder during the operation.

"You never imagine it, that's why you have 12 men on your roster," Jackson said of the glut of injuries. "We'll have to change somewhat. Personnel makes a big difference in how we play."

Jackson said the Lakers will probably add a guard to their roster.

"We have some people in mind," he said.

O'Neal strained his right calf Jan. 4 and has missed five games, while Malone sprained a ligament in his right knee Dec. 21 and has sat out nine games.

The three stars are averaging 56 points and 26 rebounds between them.

O'Neal could return as early as Wednesday night against Denver, although he didn't practice Tuesday. No timetable has been set for Malone's return.

"I think he understands we definitely need him out there to play," Jackson said of O'Neal, who has received medical clearance to return. "He knows if he comes back and he's not right, it's not going to do any good. It's up to him."

Rick Fox, a starter for the past three years, hasn't played since undergoing surgery on his left foot eight months ago. He figures to start when fully healthy, which the Lakers hope will be soon.

Rockets 93, Wizards 80

Yao Ming scored 14 of his 21 points in the third quarter, and the Houston Rockets had a season-high 27 assists in Tuesday night's 93-80 victory over the Washington Wizards.

All five Rockets starters scored in double figures -- Cuttino Mobley, Steve Francis and Jim Jackson had 16 apiece, and Kelvin Cato scored 12. Yao shot 6-of-9 from the field, 9-of-10 on free throws and had 11 rebounds. Francis added 10 assists.

"When you make shots, that's also how you get assists," coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "Sometimes we move the ball real well, and we don't shoot particularly well. Tonight we shot well.''

The Rockets, who have won five of seven, broke open a close game with a 14-3 run midway through the fourth quarter. Larry Hughes scored 23 points to lead the Wizards, who have lost 10 of 12.

Hawks 86, Spurs 77

In Atlanta, Shareef Abdur-Rahim scored 29 points and the Atlanta Hawks built a big lead and held on for a surprising victory.

The defending NBA champion Spurs lost for only the second time in their last 19 games.

Atlanta went cold in the fourth quarter, managing only two points in the first 5 minutes to let San Antonio make a game of it.The Spurs got as close as 75-73 when Tony Parker put back an offensive rebound with 2:23 left.

Jason Terry responded with a clutch 3-pointer out of the corner, and Stephen Jackson finished off his former team by hitting a long jumper with 34 seconds remaining, just beating the shot clock.

Jackson had 16 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.

Bucks 111, Celtics 103

In Milwaukee, Michael Redd scored 20 points and Toni Kukoc had 16, leading Milwaukee Bucks to their sixth victory in seven games.

Erick Strickland scored 14 points and Joe Smith and Desmond Mason had 12 apiece for the Bucks, whose bench accounted for 56 points.
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