For once, Steve Blake had a good reason to smile as he exited out Staples Center. | PHOTOS

The Lakers medically cleared him to play when they play Tuesday against the New Orleans Hornets, Blake has missed the past 37 games because of a lower abdominal strain. As far as playing, Blake joked, “that’s up to the coach.”

It’s a safe bet Blake will be the backup point guard, considering coach Mike D’Antoni has gushed how his playmaking abilities and aggressiveness perfectly fit into his offense.

Blake still reported pain in his lower groin area and said he’ll have to continue to ice it. But he said that won’t inhibit his play.

“There’s nothing I can do about it,” said Blake, who was averaging 5.1 points on 35.3 percent shooting and 3.4 assists per game before his injury. “Just go. Just play.”

Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter. E-mail him at mark.medina@dailynews.com