Still on Kobe Bryant watch, NBA TV shuffles its schedule again

Kobe Bryant seems indirectly to be directing programming for NBA TV.

With the (now defunct) possibility that Bryant might return Friday in Sacramento from his Achilles’ tendon injury, the Lakers-Kings game was added Wednesday to NBA TV’s national broadcast.

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Now that Bryant will stay in Los Angeles, attention turns to Sunday when the Lakers host the Toronto Raptors at Staples Center.

Predictably, the league announced Thursday that it’s dropping the just-added Kings game from the national broadcast -- instead, the Lakers-Raptors game will now be aired on NBA TV.

Bryant hasn’t played since April but is near a return -- certainly a national story.

Coach Mike D’Antoni noted after the Lakers’ practice that it’s a matter of days for Bryant, not weeks.

If Sunday isn’t a go: The Lakers host the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday before a four-game road trip.

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