Kobe Bryant has been shut down this preseason because of a nagging foot injury, and according to Lakers coach Mike Brown, it’s no guarantee the veteran superstar will be back for Tuesday’s season opener against the Mavericks.
“I don’t know if he’ll be ready,” Brown said after the Lakers’ 97-91 loss to the Clippers on Wednesday, according to ESPN.com “So yeah, I guess there is question. I’m just going to wait for [Lakers trainer] Gary Vitti to tell me he can play, because there’s nothing I can do about it until they release him anyway.”
Bryant missed Wednesday’s preseason game and will miss Thursday’s preseason finale as a result of his injury, but the fact that there is “question” about the 14-time All-Star’s availability is somewhat concerning. What’s especially concerning is whether there will be any lingering effects moving forward this season.
According to ESPN.com, a team spokesperson said Bryant spent most of Wednesday’s game getting treatment on his foot in
the training room. Bryant missed some time earlier in training camp due to a foot issue, but sources told ESPN.com that the current injury is in a different place on his right foot, and it is reportedly considerably more painful.
Bryant, who turned 34 in August, is entering his 17th NBA season, but the Lakers better hope Father Time backs off a little bit.
