CEBALLOS SITS 6 TO 8 WEEKS : CLIPPERS AT LAKERS.

Byline: Marc Stein Daily News Staff Writer

There should be some life left in Cedric Ceballos' season, but don't expect to see him in Lakers colors until the next calendar year.

For the rest of 1996, Ceballos figures to be restricted to rest and rehabilitation, after an MRI exam Thursday confirmed a partial tear of the tendon directly below his right kneecap.

Lakers doctor Stephen Lombardo estimates that Ceballos will miss a minimum of six to eight weeks, likely keeping him sidelined until the '97 portion of the schedule.

``On one hand, we're happy it's not a season-ending or career-ending injury, but it's six to eight weeks and not two to four weeks,'' said Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak. ``So we have a lot of mixed feelings.

``Bottom line, it's an injury we didn't have yesterday at this time. It's unfortunate.''

Ceballos was hurt with 3:49 to play in Wednesday night's 95-83 loss in San Antonio. He landed awkwardly after converting a fast-break layup and crumpled to the floor, clutching his right knee.

Sadly for him and the Lakers, the setback came just 24 hours after Ceballos' first good game of the season, a 22-point, 10-rebound performance in Tuesday's double-overtime victory at Houston with mother Rochelle in the stands.

``I think I'm having my best year defensively,'' Ceballos said after that game. ``But I ain't helping guys out on scoring. They're used to getting 20 from me. It's time for me to step up and get closer to that.''

Instead, he'll have to step aside for a while, leaving the Lakers even more vulnerable at their thinnest position.

The other two small forwards on the roster, Jerome Kersey (fractured left foot) and Trevor Wilson (sore left knee), were already on the injured list. The Lakers now must evaluate both players between tonight's home game against the Clippers and Sunday's visit to Phoenix and decide which one to activate.

Until a roster move is made, the Lakers (5-3) will go one short with 11 players, meaning that, depending on matchups, Eddie Jones, Corie Blount and rookie Kobe Bryant will have to fill in at that spot.

``It's a deep position if we can get one of those guys healthy,'' Kupchak said of Kersey and Wilson.

The obvious short-term option is moving Jones to small forward and letting Byron Scott, who has been getting much more playing time than anticipated, start at shooting guard.

The drawback there is that Jones is playing better than he ever has - averaging 17.1 points per game on 52.6 percent shooting - and the Lakers might be reluctant to upset his rhythm.

With Bryant, the Philadelphia prep phenom, the Lakers' concern is inexperience. Kid Kobe has played sparingly in the first eight games, largely because he has spent even less time on the practice court because of his injuries (a broken wrist and a hip flexor).

Before Wednesday's loss to the Spurs, Lakers coach Del Harris said it probably would be January or February before Bryant is ready for a regular turn in the rotation.

``He makes little mistakes that don't show up in the box score,'' Harris said. ``I don't know when he'll be ready.''

Ditto for Ceballos, already off to a miserable start when fate struck him down. With less room to operate near the basket since Shaquille O'Neal replaced Vlade Divac, he was averaging just 10.8 points, down from last year's team-high 21.2.

But since he was also averaging 6.6 rebounds, and because Harris expected him to bust out more frequently as the Lakers work toward redeveloping their running game, Ceballos is going to be sorely missed.

``We're going to miss all the things he does,'' said co-captain Nick Van Exel. ``He rebounds, scores, gets loose balls, runs the floor. Somebody will just have to step up in his absence.''

History, at least, suggests that someone will. When Ceballos missed 22 games in 1994-95, his All-Star season, with a torn thumb ligament, the Lakers went 13-9. And with less talent (re: O'Neal) than they have now.

Notes: Regarding the availability of Kersey, Kupchak said ``we're almost there with him.'' The Lakers think the 13-year veteran, who has been out since mid-October with the fracture, will be ready to play within a week. ``We don't feel it's necessary to bring in another player,'' Kupchak said. . . . Ceballos didn't want to be interviewed after being wheeled off on a stretcher Wednesday, but he did talk after the Houston game. In response to buddy Charles Barkley's claim that the Lakers are overrated, Ceballos said: ``Overrated? We ain't even rated.''

Time: 7:30 p.m., Forum.

TV/Radio: Fox Sports West; KLAC-AM (570).

Lakers (5-3) update: San Antonio coach Bob Hill had little trouble explaining the Spurs' surprising 95-83 victory Wednesday over the Lakers. ``I just thought they'd come in and take us lightly,'' Hill said. ``Who wouldn't?'' Indeed, the Lakers thought they'd finally win a game at the Alamodome, but couldn't handle a Spurs side missing five regulars. Now faced with their own injury crisis - the loss of Cedric Ceballos - the Lakers get their cross-town rivals, who could leapfrog them in the standings with a win. Maybe that'll motivate the home team, which continues to get outstanding shooting from Eddie Jones (51.0 percent on 3-pointers, 25 of 49).

Clippers (x-x) update: The Clippers come into this matchup with their cross-town rivals feeling pretty good about themselves despite/ especially since their loss/ win to/over the Sonics. A key matchup will be Shaquille O'Neal against his old LSU teammate Stanley Roberts. Roberts has played well lately but was eaten up by Vancouver's Bryant Reeves. Loy Vaught remains in a slump to start the season and has spent the fourth quarter of several games on the bench.

Bo Outlaw has played well so far off the bench and could guard O'Neal in certain stretches, especially with his success againt Bryant Reeves.

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

Photo: (color) Lakers' Cedric Ceballos tore knee ligaments against Houston on Wednesday.

Associated Press

Box: CLIPPERS AT LAKERS (see text)