Campbell May Start After Practicing

Elden Campbell returned to practice Tuesday after missing five of the previous seven games because of a bruised buttock, the most promising sign yet that he will be ready to play Thursday against the Sacramento Kings, maybe even as the starting power forward.

If not, there’s Corie Blount. Or Travis Knight. Or even Robert Horry.

In the 28 games the Lakers were without Shaquille O’Neal, prompting Campbell’s move to center, the response from those called upon to take over for Campbell at power forward was impressive. Knight had the best stretch of his rookie season. When he faded, Blount took over with the best run of his four-year career, then Knight came to life again.

When Horry, normally the small forward, took his turn there as O’Neal’s comeback began Friday against the Phoenix Suns, the result was 12 points and 11 rebounds.

“It was that way across the board,” Coach Del Harris said. “It was good,” said Knight, who started 12 times. “We kind of kept the ship afloat until the captain could get back and take over.”

Added Blount, in the opening lineup the other 18 times: “You feel good about your effort. But for me and Travis to come in and help us win when key players were out, that’s basically our job.”

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O’Neal has gone from missing 28 games, without so much as a scrimmage with teammates, to getting 63 points, 24 rebounds and five blocks in his first two games back.

“I don’t think anyone could have ever anticipated a guy having the kind of weekend he had after two months off,” Harris said. “I don’t care how good they are.”