Kobe Bryant discussed his injury status and potential return during a press conference, documented by NBA.com's Staff
Q: On the general update in his recovery/rehab process:
Bryant: It’s the same old, same old. Riding the bike, trying to stay in shape that way. Not much I can really do in terms of running andthings of that nature, so mainly focusing on bike work.
Q: On if there’s a timetable in his head to make a return:
Bryant: It’s all just up in the air right now. I try not to think about it too much. You just go day-to-day.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant suffered a minor left knee injury in the team's 96-92 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Dec. 17, but he indicated after the game he doesn't expect to miss any time.
Lakers.com's Mike Trudell spoke to Bryant after the contest, who claimed that he "twisted" the knee after bumping into Tony Allen midway through the third quarter.
Bryant sustained the injury while working against Allen and seemed to be in a decent amount of pain. He was on the FedExForum floor for a short period before making his way to the sideline with a grimace, where he was worked on by head Lakers trainer Gary Vitti. Xavier Henry entered the game for Bryant with 2:47 remaining in the third quarter, and he didn't return until almost the midway point of the fourth.
He then played the rest of the game without incident, finishing with 21 points, five rebounds and four assists on 9-of-18 shooting.
In six games since returning from a torn Achilles, Bryant is averaging 13.8 points, 6.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds. His performance overall has been a mixed bag, highlighted by a promising willing to pass and his lowlights coming via turnover issues. Tuesday was the third time since returning that Bryant had broken the 20-point barrier; he has scored under 10 points in the other three contests.
The Lakers, who started 10-9 without their franchise player, are 2-4 with him in the lineup. They've actually been a markedly worse team on both ends with him on the court, as the Lakers try to meld coach Mike
D'Antoni and Bryant's preferred styles.
Los Angeles has two days off before its next game, a home contest Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. It's unclear whether Bryant would have been able to play had the team been scheduled for a shorter rest.
Should Bryant be forced to miss Friday's game or any extended period, D'Antoni would likely revert to his pre-Bryant rotations—sans Steve Blake, who will be out at least six weeks with an elbow injury.
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