Kobe Bryant will not play against the Phoenix Suns.
The Los Angeles Lakers announced that Bryant, who traveled with the team to Phoenix, would not be available to play in Monday night’s game. This is the second straight game the Lakers shooting guard has missed with a sprained ankle, and the Lakers are listing him as day-to-day going forward.
Bryant originally injured the ankle after Dahntay Jones walked under him on a potential game-tying fade away shot. Bryant landed on Jones’ foot, and the league would go on to admit fault on not calling a foul on the play.
Since Bryant is one of the more stubborn competitors the world has ever seen, he decided to start against Indiana on Friday—only two night after severely spraining the ankle. However, after playing all 12 minutes of the first quarter, Bryant realized he was not able to help the team on the floor due to the injury.
For the remainder of the game, Bryant helped coach the team from the sidelines and was vocal during huddles and timeouts.
On Sunday, Bryant was a game-time decision but was nixed ahead of tipoff. Unlike Indiana, Bryant was not on the sidelines or visible before or after the game against the Kings. Coach D’Antoni revealed the shooting guard was also suffering from a serious cold and was laid up in the back.
Following Monday’s game in Phoenix, the Lakers do not play again until a Friday home game against the Washington Wizards. Along with Bryant, the Lakers will also hope to get long-term injury Pau Gasol back for that game, but no guarantees have been made on either player.
With Bryant effectively out for the third game in a row, the Lakers will look to build on the improved ball movement and increased defensive intensity that has been consistent over the past two games. Most importantly, the Lakers will look for their third consecutive win.
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