CHAMPS!!!

LA Times reports — At least for one game, Jordan Hill’s pending court case in Houston stemming from a third-degree felony charge won’t affect his on-court availability. Lakers Coach Mike Brown said Hill will play Tuesday in Game 2 against the Denver Nuggets.

Hill attended Tuesday morning’s shootaround, despite a spokeswoman for the Harris County district attorney telling The Times’ Mike Bresnahan that Hill needed to attend a hearing in Houston on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. CT. Hill’s agent, Kevin Bradbury, said a court appearance hadn’t been mandated yet.

Even if Hill has to go to Houston at some point, the Lakers don’t expect that he will have to miss any practices or games.

The concern for Hill’s playing availability would’ve been an afterthought two weeks ago after sitting out 13 games because of a sprained ligament in his right knee. But Brown played Hill on April 22 against Oklahoma City, admittedly out of curiosity, and Hill responded with 14 points and a career-high 15 rebounds. It earned him a permanent spot in the rotation, with Hill posting 10 points and 10 rebounds in the Lakers’ Game 1 victory Sunday over Denver.

“I just wanted to give him an opportunity to see what he had and he played well,” Brown said after Tuesday’s morning shootaround. “He used his length, athleticism and ability to score around the basket and block shots. I just said, I’ll keep playing him. If he keeps playing well, I’ll keep playing him.”

Hill didn’t speak with reporters after Tuesday’s shootaround. But he offered apologies to the Lakers both through a statement and in front of the media after Monday’s practice.

“I can’t speak on [the charges] right now. I’ll let my attorney and my agents take care of it. Unfortunately, it happened at this time, but I’m going to continue to keep my head up and keep working and keep playing.”