LOS ANGELES - Luke Walton realized missing the first half of training camp might cut into his playing time, but even he couldn't have been prepared for his role to diminish this drastically.

Only two seasons removed from starting all 60 games he played, Walton logged just three minutes in Tuesday's season-opening victory over Portland, checking in for the first time with 2:43 remaining in the fourth quarter. He played the final three minutes of the first half Wednesday against the Clippers, scoring from the low block and assisting on a Derek Fisher three. He finished with four points and three assists in nine minutes.

"It's a numbers game," Coach Phil Jackson said. "Luke will find time at certain points to get an opportunity to play early, but those things find a way to work themselves out over the course of a season. I know a lot of people ask if Luke was hurt or injured. But no, he's OK."

Walton's lack of playing time has less to do with his surgically repaired ankle and more with the Lakers' logjam at small forward. Starter Vladimir Radmanovic has been shooting well and playing uncharacteristically energetic defense, while backup Trevor Ariza has scored in bunches and forced turnovers with his length and quickness.

Although Walton lost his starting job to Radmanovic midway though an injury-plagued season last year, he still remained a key cog in the rotation. He averaged 7.2 points and 3.9 rebounds in 23.4 minutes, about 10 less than he averaged the previous season.

Powell on Winning Team

Josh Powell insists the victory over the Clippers had no extra meaning to him, even though it was the well-traveled big man's first regular-season meeting with the team that unexpectedly cut him during the offseason.

"I'm keeping it cool," said Powell, who got in near the end and had four points, including a fast-break dunk. "I'm not trying to get caught up in that."

A former undrafted free agent from North Carolina State, Powell averaged career highs of 5.5 points and 5.2 rebounds in 67 games with the Clippers a year ago. The blue-collar big man expected to return for a second year, but the club opted not to re-sign him, paving the way for him to come to the Lakers following Ronny Turiaf's departure.

Back to Back No Sweat

This was the first of 19 times the Lakers will play games on consecutive nights. The Lakers went an impressive 12-5 in the second half of back-to-backs last season, a mark they expect to match or even eclipse as a result of a deep bench that should keep the starters from wearing down.

Asked if the team was built for back-to-backs, Jackson said, "It should be. We have the depth to be. It's a young team, outside of Kobe's 12 seasons and Derek's 12 seasons. We should be young enough to recover."

Reach Jeff Eisenberg at 951-368-9357 or jeisenberg@PE.com