SAN ANTONIO — After spending the past three months rehabbing in what the Lakers initially considered to be a season-ending injury, Lakers forward Jordan Hill has received medical clearance to suit up tonight for Game 2 of the team’s first-round series against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center, according to a team spokesman.

The Lakers had initially ruled Hill out of the first-round series since he had yet to complete both full court five-on five and contact drills. They had also originally tabbed his timetable to last between three to four weeks once he begins basketball-related drills, something he had started within the past week. But the Lakers forward progressed enough in recent days where he could play at least limited minutes.

The Spurs lead 1-0 in the best-of-seven series partly because their defense contributed to Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard combining for 10 of the Lakers’ 18 turnovers. The Lakers valued Hill’s presence both for his scoring off hustle points and defense After having surgery Jan. 23 on his left hip, the Lakers expected Hill to stay sidelined for at least six months. Hill injured his left hip in the Lakers’ loss Jan. 6th against the Denver Nuggets. He had appeared in 29 games averaging 6.7 points and 5.7 rebounds in 15.8 minutes.

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