Mike D'Antoni expects Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol to play Friday - Los Angeles Times
Advertisement

Mike D’Antoni expects Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol to play Friday

Injured Lakers stars Kobe Bryant, left, and Pau Gasol were in street clothes as their teammates took on the Phoenix Suns on Monday.
(Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press)
Share via

Coach Mike D’Antoni said he expects Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol to play Friday as the Lakers host the Washington Wizards.

Bryant sprained his ankle in the closing seconds of a loss to Atlanta on March 13. After pushing through the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, Bryant hasn’t been able to play.

Wednesday marks six weeks and two days since Pau Gasol’s foot injury suffered Feb. 5 against the Brooklyn Nets. The Lakers’ original prognosis was a minimum of six to eight weeks.

Advertisement

Gasol went through four-on-four scrimmage after practice. Bryant was held out but D’Antoni noted the Lakers All-Star guard probably would practice Thursday.

If the full contingent of Lakers play Friday, it would be just the second game of the season D’Antoni has had all of his players (except Jordan Hill, out with a hip injury).

D’Antoni will bring Gasol back into the starting lineup, although he may take a few games to work him in from off the bench.

Advertisement

ALSO:

Kobe Bryant as assistant coach?

Pau Gasol’s foot improves but still no timetable for his return

Seven-man rotation a symptom, not the cause of Phoenix loss

Advertisement

Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.

Advertisement