Kobe Bryant suffered a left leg contusion last week when he was tripped by Rajon Rondo and kneed by Kosta Koufos, and according to Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott, Bryant may not suit up again until the season-opener.
Scott continues to insist that Kobe’s injury isn’t serious, and argues that it’s smarter for the living legend to rest up now instead of playing in meaningless games.
The Lakers have a pair of exhibition matches remaining before opening the season against the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves.
Per the LA Daily News:
It appears too early to know how Kobe Bryant will write the chapter of what will become his 20th and perhaps final NBA season. But amid Bryant nursing a bruised lower left leg in the last five days, Lakers coach conceded he may shut his star player down for the rest of preseason play. […] “There’s a chance, but I’m not going to put a percentage on it,” Scott said after practice on Sunday at the Lakers’ practice facility in El Segundo. “There’s a chance.”
“I’d rather get him to 100 percent as close as possible,” Scott said. “These games don’t mean anything right now.” […] Bryant, who has averaged 13 points on 44.6 percent shooting in 18.2 minutes through five exhibition games, has not spoken to reporters since injuring his lower left leg in the Lakers’ preseason loss to Sacramento last Tuesday in Las Vegas. But Scott reported Bryant “feeling better” on Sunday despite his absence marking the third consecutive practice he missed in the past week. Bryant also stayed home during the Lakers’ preseason win over Golden State on Saturday in San Diego.
Amid these recent absences, does Scott have any concerns Bryant will not return in time for the Lakers’ season opener against Minnesota on Oct. 28? […] “Nah,” Scott said. “None whatsoever.”
