The Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, seen during the Jan. 8, 2016 game against the Thunder at Staples Center, is questionable for Tuesday, Jan. 12, with a strained right Achilles that kept him out of the Jan. 10 game. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht/Los Angeles Daily News)
OAKLAND — The graceful steps Kobe Bryant showed as he walked to the podium answered the question. So did the Lakers uniform that he was wearing.
Will Bryant play when the Lakers (9-31) play against the Golden State Warriors (34-2) on Thursday at the Oracle?
“The uniform is no indication on whether I’m playing tonight. But I will try to play tonight,” Bryant said more than two hours before tipoff.
Yet, questions emerged about Bryant’s availability considering he felt increased soreness in his right Achilles and right shoulder. So much that Bryant played only 16 minutes in Tuesday’s win over New Orleans. So much that the Lakers listed Bryant’s status as questionable. So much that Lakers coach Byron Scott reported that head athletic trainer Gary Vitti suggested that Bryant should sit out for one or two weeks.
But Bryant scoffed at that idea.
“It’s hard for me to say, ‘I’m going to shut it down for two weeks.” Bryant said. “What if it’s better in two days? If it’s not better in two weeks, I won’t play for two weeks. But if it gets better before then, I should be out there playing.”
Bryant also downplayed Scott’s plan that will limit him under 30-32 minutes he has played on most nights this season. Bryant has averaged 30.5 minutes per game this season, which exceeds other star players in their 20th NBA season. That includes former Lakers center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (22.9 minutes) and Minnesota forward Kevin Garnett (20.3 minutes).
“I played limited last game,” Bryant said, chuckling. “It’s really by ear.”
Nonetheless, Bryant admitted recent difficulties in battling his various ailments.
He missed three consecutive games at Staples Center earlier this month because of soreness in his right shoulder, something that has emerged periodically since missing a game last month in Oklahoma City. Since then, Bryant frequently spends his time on the bench wearing heat packs on his right shoulder.
But more issues emerged. Bryant also felt pain in his right Achilles last week against Oklahoma City before vowing to play through it. But he then sat on Sunday against Utah. Two days later, Bryant returned only to last 16 minutes on the court before heading to the locker room.
“I feel okay. It feels fine when I walk around and stuff like that,” Bryant said. “It’s just the change in direction that makes it pretty sore. I’ll do what I can treatment wise, go out there and see what I can do.”
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