Game-time decision for Kobe

Kobe Bryant still hadn’t decided on playing in Wednesday night’s game against the New Orleans Hornets as of this morning’s shootaround. Bryant said of his sprained right ankle, ``It looks worse than it feels.’’

``This morning it felt pretty good,’’ Bryant said. ``We’re just going to hold off till tonight, then see how it feels. . . .We just want to make sure it’s ready. If it’s ready to go, then I’ll play.’’

Bryant said he was up again all night doing rehab exercises when he should have been sleeping. He shot a couple of jumpers and did some light jogging at shootaround.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson said he was encouraged that Bryant was considering playing two days after sustaining the injury because ``at least it doesn’t seem like it’s going to be a long-term thing.’’

``It’s hard to tell with these things,’’ Jackson said. ``We’ve told him that if he feels inhibited by it, not to put us at risk or himself at risk.

``I have confidence that he knows what’s best for himself in this situation. He does want to play but he knows when he’s jeopardizing himself or his teammates or his game.’’

Maurice Evans would start if Bryant ultimately decides not to play. The Lakers played all eight preseason games without Bryant as well as the first two regular season games.