LOS ANGELES (AP) The Lakers placed Kareem Rush on the injured list Tuesday because of a bone bruise in his right foot, meaning the second-year guard must miss a minimum of five games.

Rush is averaging 6.5 points, 1.4 rebounds and 17.3 minutes in 68 games _ 15 of them starts. He has scored in double figures 15 times, including a career-high 30 points in a 103-83 loss at Sacramento on Jan. 16.

``I just need some rest before the playoffs,'' Rush said before the Lakers played the New Orleans Hornets on Tuesday night. ``There's really no treatment for making it better. Hopefully, time is the cure.''

Rush said his foot has been bothering him for some time.

``We need him to take a break _ it's not improving,'' Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. ``It's getting a little worse. We thought a little rest might help.''

The Lakers didn't immediately replace Rush on their active roster, but Jackson expressed hope that backup forward-center Horace Grant will be ready to play well before the end of the regular season.

Grant was placed on the injured list March 19 after having his ailing right hip examined in Boston. He decided to put off surgery until after the season and has been involved in a therapy and rehabilitation program.

``It feels so, so much better,'' Grant said. ``I've been doing some drills, pain-free. I'm very optimistic.

Grant, averaging 4.1 points and 4.2 rebounds in 55 games, said he hopes to return April 9 against Memphis. If that happens, he'd be active for four regular-season games.