Lakers forward Ron Artest practiced on Monday, but he's not a lock to play against the Rockets on Tuesday night.

Artest was injured when he fell at his home on Christmas night and has missed the team's last five games.

"It was too dangerous for me to rush back, so whenever they tell me" is when he'll play, Artest said.

Artest has four stitches in his head, but said that he is much better than he was just a few days ago.