Lakers’ Kobe Bryant to miss Friday’s game against Hawks

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant will miss Friday's game against Atlanta because of soreness in his right shoulder. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/ Pasadena Star-News)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant will miss Friday’s game against Atlanta because of soreness in his right shoulder.
(Photo by Keith Birmingham/ Pasadena Star-News)

Nearly a week has passed, and Lakers guard Kobe Bryant still feels enough soreness in his right shoulder to keep him limited. The Lakers (12-50) ruled Bryant out for Friday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks (33-28) on Friday at Staples Center.

That marks the third time in the past four games the 37-year-old Bryant has missed because of his injury. Bryant logged 11 minutes in Wednesday’s loss in Denver before feeling right shoulder soreness that he described as “really really achy.” He added he would not have played had it not marked his last game at Pepsi Center.

Bryant’s absence could be somewhat related to the quirks of the Lakers’ schedule. They have 13 remaining home games at Staples Center in his 20th and final NBA season, making Bryant somewhat more comfortable sitting out the past three home games.

Bryant has averaged 16.8 points on a career-low 35.1 percent clip in 28.6 minutes per game.

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