Bynum likely out, Bryant in doubt

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print

The Los Angeles Lakers could be missing two starters Monday night when they host the San Antonio Spurs.

Kobe Bryant did not participate in the team's shootaround and spent the time undergoing "diagnostic tests" on his sprained left ankle, according to Lakers coach Phil Jackson. Andrew Bynum, who suffered a bruised right hip that caused him to sit out the second half of Los Angeles' win in Portland on Saturday, is probably not going to play, according to Jackson.

More on the Lakers

For more news, notes and analysis of the Lakers, check out the Lakers Index. Blog

"He had some discomfort and can't move very well," Jackson said. Bynum is also dealing with a swollen left knee that he injured last week against the Bobcats when he collided knee-to-knee with Charlotte's Stephen Jackson.

Jackson said Bryant is still a game-time decision as the Lakers await the results of the tests, which included a MRI, on the ankle.

Jackson said the tests were administered on Bryant, "just to make sure."

Bryant told Jackson approximately an hour before tip-off on Saturday that he thought he should sit out and rest the ankle, ending his consecutive games played streak at 235.

When Jackson was asked if he thought the team would benefit from Bryant sitting out the Lakers' two remaining games before the All-Star break, he stressed the importance of L.A. winning as many games as possible to keep pace with Cleveland for home-court advantage in the playoffs.

"We really want to win out," Jackson said. "This situation is perfect for us to keep pushing the accelerator, keep it going. Momentum's really important for us."

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print
• Subscribe

Dave McMenamin

ESPNLosAngeles.com

• Follow
• Archive

Dave McMenamin spent five seasons as a staff writer for NBA.com in New York and Los Angeles before joining ESPNLosAngeles.com to cover the Lakers and the NBA.