The first question asked of Phil Jackson in Monday’s pregame presser was, of course, regarding the status of Kobe Bryant for the evening’s game against the San Antonio Spurs.
“Kobe’s not going to play tonight,” said Jackson.
On Saturday night in Portland, Bryant had missed his first game since Dec. 8, 2006, due to injury because of a sprained left ankle upon which he had an MRI on Monday morning. Jackson said that he was “not informed enough to talk about” the results of the exam, but said that Bryant wants to play in Utah on Wednesday.
“I think if he feels like he can play, he’s going to play,” said Jackson. “He’s not going to sit out just because that might extend the duration (for) which he doesn’t have to play.”
As such, Bryant will be re-evaluated on Tuesday morning, and again on Wednesday prior to the game in Salt Lake City, L.A.’s last before the All-Star break.