NEW ORLEANS — Despite nursing a sprained right ankle, Lakers forward Metta World Peace told this newspaper he will suit up when the Lakers play tonight against the New Orleans Hornets at New Orleans Arena.
“I’m good,” World Peace said before darting out of the locker room to fit in a pre-game warmup with tape wrapped around his ankle.
World Peace received an MRI Wednesday after spraining his right ankle in the final moments of the Lakers’ loss Tuesday to Oklahoma City. He had walked with a limp in the locker room before and after an initial x-ray produced inconslusive results.
Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni still insisted World Peace remained a game-time decision, and revealed he’d start Jodie Meeks at shooting guard and Kobe Bryant at small forward even World Peace was considered to hurt to play. But not necessary.
Meanwhile, both Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard will also play despite nursing various injuries. Bryant has an ulnar nerve contusion on his right elbow, essentially an injury to his funny bone. Howard aggravated the torn labrum in his right shoulder during the Lakers’ loss Tuesday vs. Oklahoma City.
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