Ryan Kelly spent part of offseason in MMA training

As he stayed sidelined to heal his hamstrings, Ryan Kelly hoped he could add some punch to the Lakers that go beyond his outside shooting.

He trained in mixed martial-arts during part of the offseason in hopes the 6-foot-11, 230-pound Kelly could absorb some punches from bulkier defenders.

“I’m just glad I didn’t get knocked out,” Kelly said, laughing. “I didn’t crush anybody. I don’t think those punches were knocking anybody out.”

Kelly returned to the Lakers’ lineup Tuesday against Phoenix at Staples Center, his first appearance since suffering overlapping injuries to his left and right hamstrings. Kelly posted only two points on 1-of-2 shooting in seven minutes. But the Lakers badly missed his presence after spending his rookie season averaging eight points on 33.8 percent shooting from beyond the arc. The Lakers entered their game against the Suns going only 31.6 percent from three-point range.

“He brings a different element as far as the fact that he can stretch the floor,” Lakers coach Byron Scott said. “He has picked the offense up pretty fast for somebody who hasn’t been able to do the offense a lot.”

That explains why Kelly signed a two-year, $3.4 million this offseason with the Lakers. But both the Lakers and Kelly hope he can better withstand the physical demands of the NBA.

“I don’t know the MMA will make that big of a difference,” Kelly said. “This summer I wanted to work on my body and take those hits. I’ll guess we’ll find out.”

RELATED:

Kobe Bryant: “Just get a damn win”


Lakers’ Julius Randle in positive spirits after season-ending right leg injury

Kobe Bryant and Lakers need to think about parting ways, for loyalty sake

Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com