LOS ANGELES (AP) Horace Grant was placed on the injured list Friday with a tear in his hip, but the Lakers' backup forward-center has decided to postpone surgery and try to play again this season.

The 38-year-old Grant, averaging 4.1 points and 4.2 rebounds in 55 games, was examined Friday in Boston.

The Lakers said Grant will partake in a therapy and rehabilitation regimen for about two weeks before attempting to play the remainder of the regular season and playoffs, which begin the weekend of April 17-18.

Grant plans to have surgery after the season. He had missed eight of nine games because of pain in his right side and groin before being examined. He will be eligible to be activated March 30.

The Lakers didn't replace Grant on the active roster immediately, but rookie Brian Cook will be eligible to come off the injured list before Sunday's game against Milwaukee.

Cook was placed on the injured list March 12 because of back spasms and sat out his fifth game Friday night against the Clippers. He was placed on the injured list to make room for Karl Malone, who missed 39 games with a knee injury.