EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) Karl Malone is close to returning to the Los Angeles Lakers after being cleared Thursday to practice without restrictions.

Malone sprained a ligament in his right knee Dec. 21 and landed on the injured list for the first time in his career.

He has said he'd like to play Monday, when the Lakers visit the Utah Jazz, his former team.

Also Thursday, backup center Horace Grant was diagnosed with a strained hip flexor. He won't play Friday against Seattle or Sunday against New Jersey, and will be reevaluated next week.

Forward Jamal Sampson will have surgery Tuesday on his right ankle to remove scar tissue, team spokesman John Black said.