Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol to Rejoin Lakers Lineup on Friday


Here’s a rarity for the Los Angeles Lakers this season — they’ll have their complete, healthy starting lineup playing together tonight. Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol are expected to suit up against the visiting Washington Wizards. Per the LA Times: “Kobe Bryant participated in a five-on-five scrimmage Thursday. So did Pau Gasol. Bryant left a little early because his sprained left ankle stiffened a bit, but Lakers Coach Mike D’Antoni wasn’t concerned about his availability Friday against Washington. ‘He’ll be ready,’ D’Antoni said. Gasol missed 20 games because of a tear inside the bottom of his right foot. He will play limited minutes Friday while simultaneously trying to get in shape. ‘It’s not good,’ Gasol said of his conditioning. ‘But I’ll continue to work on it and it’ll continue to get better.’ For the first time since Jan. 30, Gasol and Bryant will be on the active roster with Dwight Howard, Steve Nash and Metta World Peace, the lineup that ‘if we’re going to do any damage, has to happen,’ D’Antoni said.”