“The Lakers’ Kobe Bryant #24 shoots as the Grizzlies Quincy Pondexter #8 defends during their NBA game at the Staples Center Friday, January 2, 2015. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht/Los Angeles Daily News)”
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant will sit out of Monday’s game in Portland as part of the team’s effort to conserve the 36-year-old guard on back-to-back games. Bryant will still suit up for tonight’s game against the Indiana Pacers at Staples Center.
“You guys might think he probably argued about it. But he said it sounds good to him,” Lakers coach Byron Scott said. “He stuck to his plan of whatever you want to do.”
Scott has taken more conservative measures with Bryant after battling fatigue and a heavy workload during the 2014-15 season. After sitting out three games two weeks ago, Bryant spent the past week playing as a facilitator and averaging 16 points on 45.7 percent shooting and 8.66 assists in 32.33 minutes per game.
Bryant won’t travel with the team to Portland so he can rest for a designated road game on Wednesday against the Clippers as well as home-games against Orlando (Friday) and Portland (Sunday).
“It’s still day by day,” Scott said. “It depends on how he feels physically. This was pretty much a no brainer.”
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