Xavier Henry returns to light drills after reevaluation

In this file photo, Los Angeles Laker Xavier Henry makes an attempt for the basket against Golden State Warrior defense during a preseason Lakers game against the Warriors at the Citizens Business Bank Area in Ontario on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013. (Photo by Rachel Luna / San Bernardino Sun file)

In this file photo, Los Angeles Laker Xavier Henry makes an attempt for the basket against Golden State Warrior defense during a preseason Lakers game against the Warriors at the Citizens Business Bank Area in Ontario on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013. (Photo by Rachel Luna / San Bernardino Sun file)

MIAMI — The Lakers still remain an injury-depleted bunch, but Xavier Henry received clearance Wednesday to participate in practice at American Airlines Arena that he said mostly involved running and making cuts to test out the bone bruise in his right knee. Henry also engaged in light shooting during the tail end of practice.

Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni still penciled him on out for the team’s upcoming back-to-back against Miami (Thursday) and Orlando (Friday). Henry said the team’s training staff also hasn’t provided an exact timetable considering the hope that he will practice before eventually returning.

“It felt pretty good, but not 100 percent,” Henry told this newspaper. “But it feels like I’m on a good track right now.”

The Lakers say he plans to have his knee tested out Thursday in hopes of increasing his workload.

“I’ll come out and do the same thing, but maybe push it a little bit harder and a little bit longer,” Henry said. “We’ll see how it holds up.”

Henry played in a full set of on-court basketball drills including games of three-on-three on Jan. 12, but he felt soreness in his right knee. He has also dealt with an abnormality surrounding the lateral meniscus in his right knee. Henry, who has missed the past 11 games, has become a pleasant surprise morphing from a training camp invitee to a dependable wing player. He has averaged 10.4 points and would resume his role as the team’s backup point guard whenever he returns.

“They want me to a play 100 percent,” Henry said. “Only my body can tell that when I can go out there and not feel anything. It’s not there yet, but I’m getting there.”

RELATED:

Pau Gasol misses Wednesday’s practice because of open wound on left toe

Nick Young channeling his inner Kobe Bryant

Lakers’ Nick Young learning a lot from Kobe Bryant

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