Shaquille O’Neal and Karl Malone already were on L.A.’s injured list.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) – Kobe Bryant joined Shaquille O’Neal and Karl Malone on the sidelines Tuesday, leaving Gary Payton as the only healthy Los Angeles Lakers superstar.

Bryant is expected to miss a minimum of two to three weeks with an injured right shoulder, the result of a collision with Cleveland’s Kedrick Brown on Monday night, the team said.

An MRI exam taken Tuesday confirmed Bryant sprained his surgically repaired shoulder.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson said Bryant won’t need surgery, but will probably be placed on the injured list, meaning he’d have to sit out at least five games.

“I don’t think there’s any long-term effects to something like this,” Jackson said.

It’s also possible that Bryant could miss a game in February and two in March because of hearings regarding the sexual assault charge he faces in Colorado.

Bryant, the NBA’s seventh-leading scorer with a 22.0-point average, was injured with 5.7 seconds left in the first quarter of an 89-79 victory over the Cavaliers when he faked Brown into the air outside the 3-point line and Brown landed on Bryant’s shoulder.

In obvious pain, Bryant made three free throws, but left after the period ended and went to the locker room for X-rays, which were negative.

Bryant played a little more than five minutes in the second quarter, but was clearly not himself, running with his right arm hanging at his side. His only shot was a left-handed jumper from outside the foul line that didn’t come close, and he was removed from the game shortly thereafter.

Bryant had surgery on his shoulder June 12 – four weeks after the Lakers were eliminated from the second round of the playoffs by San Antonio. He had an inflamed bursa removed and a frayed labrum trimmed in his shoulder during the operation.

“You never imagine it, that’s why you have 12 men on your roster,” Jackson said of the glut of injuries. “We’ll have to change somewhat. Personnel makes a big difference in how we play.”

Jackson said the Lakers will probably add a guard to their roster. “We have some people in mind,” he said.

O’Neal strained his right calf Jan. 4 and has missed five games, while Malone sprained a ligament in his right knee Dec. 21 and has sat out nine games. The three stars are averaging 56 points and 26 rebounds between them.

O’Neal could return as early as Wednesday night against Denver, although he didn’t practice Tuesday. No timetable has been set for Malone’s return.

“I think he understands we definitely need him out there to play,” Jackson said of O’Neal, who has received medical clearance to return. “He knows if he comes back and he’s not right, it’s not going to do any good. It’s up to him.”

O’Neal said before Monday night’s game he hoped to return this week. Rick Fox, a starter for the past three years, hasn’t played since undergoing surgery on his left foot eight months ago. He figures to start when fully healthy, which the Lakers hope will be soon.

“He’s close, but he’s been close,” Jackson said, adding he believes Fox is within a week of playing.

Payton understands what lies ahead.

“That’s just something that happens,” he said of the injuries. “Now, we’re going to struggle a little bit more. I’ve just got to go out there, get everybody involved. We’re OK, we’ve got some players who can play. We’re going to have to step it up.

“We’re going to have to play a perfect game to stay in games.”

AP-ES-01-13-04 1917EST