Trevor Ariza showed slight improvement the day after suffering a concussion in the Lakers’ loss Tuesday to the Charlotte Bobcats. He was injured when he ran into a pick set by the Bobcats’ Juwan Howard in the opening seconds of the second quarter. A team spokesman said Ariza would be examined by Dr. John Moe on Thursday and it would be decided then whether the backup forward is healthy enough to travel with the Lakers to Minnesota.

Also, Charlotte’s Gerald Wallace suffered a broken rib and a partially collapsed lung after crashing to the court after Andrew Bynum fouled him late in regulation time Tuesday. Wallace was sent to a local hospital and did not join his teammates for their trip to Portland. There was no immediate word from the league office about a possible suspension for Bynum, who received a flagrant foul for his hip check and forearm shiver.