Kobe Bryant did not practice with his teammates again today, but he’s likely to play in the Lakers’ game Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Bryant has been nursing a sprained left ankle since Saturday. The Lakers can clinch a playoff berth with a victory, so you can expect Bryant to play. He hasn’t missed a game this season. Bryant didn’t talk to reporters for a second consecutive day, but here’s what Lakers coach Phil Jackson said:
“We’ll just see. We’ll see how it is tomorrow and we’ll go from there. He says he’s got good strength in his ankle. It’s still swollen quite a bit, but he’s got strength in it and feels he can play.”