Bryant uncertain for tonight’s game

EL SEGUNDO — Kobe Bryant did not practice Saturday after straining his left groin in the Lakers’ loss to the Golden State Warriors on Friday night in Oakland. It was uncertain whether he would play tonight against the Clippers.

“It’ll be a game-time decision,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said, “and it will probably have to be my decision because he’ll want to play regardless.”

Bryant has yet to miss a game this season, playing through nagging knee and shoulder injuries. He also played despite having the stomach flu Dec. 4, suiting up and scoring 20 points in 29 minutes against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

He was injured in the fourth quarter Friday, limping noticeably as he tried to play down the stretch.

Finally, Jackson had to take him out of the game.

The Warriors rallied to win, ending a nine-game losing streak against the Lakers.

“I think he thought he could play offense, but he knew defensively he couldn’t slide (his feet),” Jackson said. “They were picking out whoever he was guarding. We got away with it for about three minutes, and then they figured it out.”

Centers of attention: The Lakers and Clippers renew their Hallway Series tonight, with the center matchup perhaps the most intriguing of them all. Andrew Bynum of the Lakers faces Chris Kaman of the Clippers in a battle of 7-footers.

Kaman has the statistical edge. He is averaging 18.6 points, 13.8rebounds and 2.8 blocks. Bynum is averaging 11 points, 10 rebounds and 1.86 blocks. The 25-year-old Kaman also is 5 years older than Bynum.

Jackson called Kaman “a fully graduated player.” Jackson also said the Lakers might be forced to double-team Kaman to try to stop him tonight.

“This is what, his fourth or fifth year in the league now?” Jackson said of Kaman, who is in his fifth season since the Clippers drafted him from Central Michigan. “He went through four years of college. He’s a mature guy.

“He’s ready to do all the things an NBA center needs to do, physically and mentally. He’s playing great.”

Bynum decided against going to the University of Connecticut in order to jump straight from his New Jersey high school to the NBA draft. This is his third pro season.

“It’s a great way to measure myself,” Bynum said of facing other top centers. “These are the guys I’m going to be playing against for the next 12 years. I think he’s doing really well right now, but I feel like I can become a great player in the league.”

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