Spurs 105, Lakers 85

SAN ANTONIO -- Kobe Bryant did not play in the fourth quarter of the Lakers' loss tonight to the San Antonio Spurs. He suffered back spams in the second quarter, tried to play through them in the third and finally called it a night in the fourth. He scored 16 points, all in the first half. He said "I think so," when asked if believed he would play Wednesday against Dallas. Lakers coach Phil Jackson used the word "probably."

But wait there was more ....

Small forward Ron Artest sprained his right index finger in the first half. Later, after scoring 13 points and grabbing eight rebounds in almost 33 minutes, he denied he was hurt. He also said he expected to play Wednesday against the Mavericks.

Backup guard Sasha Vujacic strained his right hamstring in the first half and could not play in the second. He wasn't immediately certain how it happened, just that it did and he couldn't play at full speed. He wasn't sure if he could play against Dallas.

Backup forward Adam Morrison didn't play because of a sore throat. His status for Wednesday was unclear. Morrison was the only one of the 12 players who suited up for tonight's game who did not play.

Power forward/center Pau Gasol isn't likely to pushed into service for Wednesday's game. He plans to make his return from a strained left hamstring Friday against the Clippers, according to Jackson.