Mike Bibby ran as if nothing had happened, taking passes from assistant coaches after his first full-contact practice since his Oct. 27 thumb surgery and making long-range jumpers with a consistency befitting his reputation.

It was earlier Monday at the Kings' practice facility, though, when he had truly impressed the teammate who wishes he could have joined him. Kevin Martin, who is at least a week away from returning from his strained right groin suffered Dec. 4, watched Bibby lead the team's second unit to a 44-28 victory.

"Mike looked great," Martin said. "You can see what his presence brings."

His actual presence isn't likely until Jan. 16 in Toronto. But just one day after the Kings learned that Ron Artest likely would miss at least two weeks to have a bone chip removed from his right elbow, even getting one step closer to having a starter return lifted their spirits. They are certainly in need, having lost four consecutive games and about to take their 3-10 road record on a three-game getaway starting in New York on Wednesday.