Despite the discouraging form LA flashed in that contest, it should not trigger a return for the ailing future Hall of Famer in the team's next game—no matter how badly Bryant wants to play.
After managing just 12 scoreless minutes against the Indiana Pacers last week, Bryant has missed the Lakers' past two games. However, the team won the aforementioned tangle with Indiana, and bested the Sacramento Kings before the slip-up in Phoenix.
The image of Bryant's ankle that he posted on Twitter last Thursday justifies his absence. (Warning: It is somewhat displeasing to the eye.)
Even his incredible threshold for pain can't quite tolerate swelling of that magnitude. The fact that he even attempted to play on it in the first place highlights Bryant's stubborn, relentless competitiveness.
But this is a competition he can't win—at least not right now. The Lakers are in the heat of the playoff race in the Western Conference, clinging to a one-game lead entering Tuesday night's NBA action. As difficult as this season has been for LA, forcing Bryant in while he's hurt this badly would be a detriment.
The current three-day break in the schedule will allow Bryant to literally get his legs under him a little bit, and afford some valuable time off for the Lakers to try to click without their go-to guy in the lineup.
Following Friday's impending clash with the Washington Wizards, Mike D'Antoni's squad gets the weekend off before embarking on a vital four-game road trip that could shape how the rest of the season goes.
The likely postseason run the Lakers have set up for themselves by going 11-4 since the All-Star break depends on Bryant, who has carried the team all year amidst injuries.
