Luke Walton tries to stay positive

Continue working hard, Walton reminds himself.

Don't get down or discouraged, Walton keeps repeating.

These are not the best of times for Walton, his playing time dwindling to almost nothing.

He is averaging 3.37 minutes a game, the lowest on the team.

This has happened two years after Walton was the starting small forward for the Lakers, when he averaged 33 minutes. Last season, Walton averaged 23.4 minutes.

He has played in seven of the nine games this season for the Lakers, but his minutes have been limited.

"I'm surviving," Walton said. "But I'm working my tail off and waiting for my opportunity. That's all I can do."

The stat sheet said Walton played three minutes even Tuesday night against the Chicago Bulls.

Walton first entered the game with 8.1 seconds left in the first quarter. He replaced Lamar Odom, who picked up his first foul.

Walton entered the game again with 22.5 seconds left in the second quarter, again replacing Odom, who picked up his third foul.

Walton missed his only shot in the second quarter.

He entered the game for the final time with 2:29 left, finishing 0 for 2 with zero points.

"I'm playing hard in practice every day," Walton said. "I'm working out on game days. I'm just trying to stay ready."

Walton began the season trying to recover from ankle surgery. He got behind and can't seem to catch up.

"I'm thrilled, especially with the team that we have," Walton said. "These guys are some of my best friends. They are great guys and I'm glad they are having success. At the same time, it's frustrating."

The Lakers improved to 8-1 Tuesday night. Walton didn't have much to do with that.

"You want to be out there with them," Walton said. "You want to be out there with them because you spent so much time working out with them. It's frustrating, but hopefully we go 81-1 and it'll all be good."

Turner is a Times staff writer

broderick.turner@latimes.com