EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) Kobe Bryant was taken off the injured list by the Los Angeles Lakers before Wednesday night's game against the Houston Rockets.

Bryant missed seven games with a cut on his right index finger. He said he was hurt Jan. 29, when he accidentally put his hand through a glass window while trying to move boxes in his garage.

Because of the finger injury, a sprained right shoulder and a sore right knee, he missed 14 of the season's first 49 games.

Bryant entered Wednesday night's game averaging 21.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 35 games. The Lakers were 31-18 entering their last game before the All-Star break.

Bryant was selected to start for the Western Conference in Sunday's All-Star game in Los Angeles.

To make room on the roster, forward/center Jamal Sampson went on the injured list with a sprained right ankle. Sampson has averaged 2.9 points and 5.2 rebounds in 10 games this season.