The Los Angeles Lakers are getting deeper into the cellar of the Western Conference standings and having their injured players back will certainly help them revive their playoff hopes this season.
But unfortunately, injured superstar Kobe Bryant could spend more time on the sidelines, while the impending return of Steve Nash could be pushed back as well.
Respected NBA beat writer Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report reported that Bryant suffered a setback in his fractured left knee, which could force the All-Star guard to miss two more weeks or even one more month.
Previous reports suggested that Bryant will be re-evaluated on Tuesday, but sources said that the Lakers are aware that Bryant will not be cleared to play after the medical examination, considering the level of discomfort in Bryant's knee in the past few days.
"Bryant's level of discomfort is such that his visit with Lakers doctor Steve Lombardo on Tuesday evening before the Lakers face the Indiana Pacers will not even include an MRI or any other diagnostic procedure to judge the bone's healing, according to a team source," Ding noted in his report.
And in the event the team doctors rule Bryant out for another month, it means that he will also have to relinquish his starting spot in the upcoming 2014 All-Star Game in New Orleans.
The Lakers, who also missed Bryant in the first few weeks of the season due to his Achilles injury, are 4-16 since the 15-time All-Star hurt his knee last month.
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Meanwhile, recent rumors suggested that veteran point guard Steve Nash could consider retirement soon.
Nash, who has been sidelined since November 10 due to nerve irritation in his back, recently suffered a setback, but the two-time MVP said that his back is feeling good in the past few days, quashing retirement rumors anew.
But while the 18-year-veteran, who will turn 40 on February 7, is feeling better, reports said that the Lakers are not expecting him to play before their upcoming road trip that will kick off on February 4 in Minnesota.
The Los Angeles Times also reported that the Lakers are preparing for any eventuality this season, including the rumored retirement of Nash, which could bring financial relief to the team in the offseason.
"Should a doctor determine that the only solution to Nash's chronic back issues is retirement, and an NBA-appointed physician agrees, the two-time NBA most valuable player's entire $9.7-million salary for the 2014-15 season will come off the Lakers' books in late April," the LA Times noted.
