Kobe Bryant might sit out the rest of the Los Angeles Lakers preseason due to a knee injury he is currently nursing.
As reported by the Los Angeles Times, Lakers head coach Byron Scott said that the Black Mamba probably won't play Monday night and added that there's a great chance that the guard would not play the rest of the preseason.
Scott stated that Bryant is still experiencing "a little soreness" from a bruised knee, preventing the 37-year old guard from participating in vigorous practice last Sunday. And as a precaution, the coach is planning to rest his guard for the rest of the preseason.
In a related report by the OC Register, the Lakers coach said, "To be honest with you, he probably won't play (Monday)," he also added, "I'd rather get him close to 100 percent as possible. These games don't mean anything right now. It's really giving me a chance to look at these young guys anyway."
As a result, Blazers Edge reported that Kobe's injury will keep him from playing against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Over the past three seasons, Bryant has experienced having his season cut short due to serious injuries, so it's pretty normal why his coach does not want to push his aging guard.
However, Scott also said that there's still a possibility for Kobe to play as he was reported to have said, "There's a chance, I'm not going to put a percentage on it, but there's a chance."
The Lakers coach also said that when he talked to Kobe, the player just said that only his minor concern was his running. Apart from Bryant, guard Lou Williams is also nursing a groin injury thereby making him also unlikely to suit up against the Blazers.
Scott said that he will use this opportunity to let other players on the team to showcase their abilities, so he can have a better judgement on who the Lakers will keep on the roster.
The Lakers currently have 19 players on their roster, while the NBA only allows 15 players when the official season starts.
