Kobe sits out

Kobe Bryant decided against playing Thursday’s exhibition against the Charlotte Bobcats at the Honda Center because of lingering swelling behind his hyperextended right knee. He was hopeful the swelling would subside and he could play in Friday’s exhibition finale against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Ontario’s new arena.
Here’s what Kobe had to say before Thursday’s game:
“We’re just going to knock that out and make sure the swelling is out of there, which it should be soon. Then I’m OK. I feel fine. I lifted weights this morning for my legs. I did lunges and jumps and all that kind of stuff. I’m all right. I just want to get the swelling out. It feels fine. Right now it feels OK. It’s just a little puffy in the back. I want to get it out. Playing on it tonight, and having the swelling be there and having to manage it, that’s the kind of stuff you do during the regular season. Not in preseason. I don’t know (about playing in Ontario). We’ll see. If I can get the swelling out in the morning, which we should be able to do, hopefully. If not, it’s no big deal. After seeing the injury on TV, I’m surprised it’s not worse, to be honest with you. That thing didn’t look too good. So ….”
Bryant did not undergo an MRI exam. Asked why not, he said:
“Well, if I can run, if I can jump, if I can do lunges, if can do leg curls, if I can do leg extensions, chances are there’s no structural damage.”