Kobe Bryant’s Ankle Still Healing

Added on Mar 18, 2011 by Scott in

NBA

Despite playing on Monday after spraining his left ankle last Saturday, Kobe Bryant may have to sit out tonight’s game with Minnesota. Bryant hasn’t practiced all week, although he said Tuesday he would be fine to play against the 17-52 T-Wolves. Head coach Phil Jackson was non-committal when asked about Bryant’s status and hinted rest might be the best medicine at this point.

Jackson wasn’t prepared to rule out his All-Star guard completely, but did reveal the ankle wasn’t fully healed;

“He says he’s got good strength in the ankle,” Jackson said. “It’s still swollen quite a bit, but he has the strength in it that he feels he can play.”

Few players can match Bryant’s toughness and ability to compete with injuries. He’s yet to miss a start thus far this season, but there’s little reason to rush him back before he’s ready, especially against the woeful Wolves. Jackson even suggested Bryant would be better off taking it easy as the Lakers enter the stretch drive.

“Last year we had quite a few games towards the end. So, hopefully we can go into the playoffs with some energy and some live legs, particularly with [Bryant's] injury that he’ll be able to come back and be 100 percent.”

Reading between the lines, it seems Kobe could sit not only tonight, but down the road as well. Then again, this is Bryant we’re talking about. If he wants to suit up, it seems unlikely Jackson will prevent him from doing so.

Source: ESPN.com