Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal sat out again Friday night as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Phoenix Suns 91-84 behind 18 points from Derek Fisher.

Los Angeles Lakers' Horace Grant, left, and Shaquille O'Neal laugh during the first half against the Phoenix Suns, Friday night, Oct. 17, 2003, in Los Angeles. Both players sat out the game with injuries. [AP]

Just 24 hours after saying he wanted Bryant to get some playing time in this game, Lakers coach Phil Jackson pushed back the timetable for Bryant's return by several days.

"He's not ready to play. I think it's more conditioning than (his surgically repaired) knee," Jackson said.

O'Neal, hampered by a bruised heel, missed his third consecutive game.

"We are listing them as day to day, but the chances of them playing Sunday are slim and remote," Jackson said.

Joe Johnson had 19 points to lead the Suns in a slow-paced game that featured 53 fouls. O'Neal watched from the bench, while Bryant stayed in the locker room.

A Colorado judge is to decide Monday whether to order Bryant to stand trial on a sexual assault charge. A 19-year-old Eagle, Colo. woman accused the Los Angeles Lakers' guard of raping her June 30 at the mountain resort where she worked. Bryant has said the two had consensual sex.

Bryant has not scrimmaged or taken part in a full practice with the Lakers, yet Jackson said Thursday that he'd like to get Bryant on the court for five to seven minutes in Friday night's exhibition game — the Lakers' last appearance at the Staples Center prior to their regular season opener against Dallas on Oct. 28.

The Lakers play the Cavaliers in Bakersfield on Sunday night, then have three days off before playing the Clippers next Thursday in Anaheim and the Sacramento Kings (news) next Friday night in Las Vegas.

"The fact that he hasn't been able to practice, we'd just as soon not have a player — unless he's pretty much up to speed with who we are — just jump on the floor and play rather than practice and get himself acclimated to the team," Jackson said.

"We have practice Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday where I'm hoping he gets on the floor and starts to practice with us then, and that'll open the opportunity for him to maybe play during the last two exhibition games. We'll just wait and see."

Close

Today's Top News		Top Sports News
+Historic level of economic growth ( 2003-10-17) +Expert says SARS revival unlikely ( 2003-10-17) +Yang's physical check-up flawless ( 2003-10-17) +Death toll of flooded mine hits 16 ( 2003-10-17) +Hu kicks off 3-nation tour ( 2003-10-17)		+Ferrero wins in Madrid, stays at No. 1 ( 2003-10-18) +Serena Williams withdraws from two events ( 2003-10-18) +Chelsea scoop awards ( 2003-10-18) +Kobe, Shaq out as Lakers beat Suns 91-84 ( 2003-10-18) +Jazz edge 76ers, 87-86 ( 2003-10-18)