Malone vs. Jazz meeting may be postponed

Karl Malone's first game against his old team may be postponed again.

The Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday that Malone, who is recovering from a sprained knee ligament, is expected to be out at least another two weeks. That means Malone would miss Los Angeles' Jan. 24 contest at Utah, the former Jazz forward's first scheduled game in the Delta Center as a member of the Lakers.

Malone missed his first opportunity to face his old team when he was suspended by the league for the Jazz-Lakers game in Los Angeles on Dec. 7. The suspension came after Malone elbowed Dallas Mavericks guard Steve Nash. Without Malone, the Lakers beat the Jazz, 94-92.

Following the game in Salt Lake on Jan. 24, the two teams are not scheduled to play until March 8. That game will be in the Delta Center. The Jazz and Lakers will finish their regular-season series March 28 in Los Angeles.

Malone has missed the Lakers' last nine games. Los Angeles is 4-6 in its last 10.

Malone is one of three injured All-Stars on the Lakers' roster. Kobe Bryant joined Malone and Shaquille O'Neal 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. O'Neal strained his right calf Jan. 4 and has missed five games, while Malone sprained a ligament in his right knee Dec. 21.