Kobe Bryant (back) will not play Monday against the Suns, Sportando.com reports.

Bryant (back, knees) won't play Monday against the Suns, Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Analysis:

After flirting with a triple-double (17 points, eight rebounds, nine assists) in Sunday's win over the Pistons, Bryant confirmed his back and knees were still bothering him and would leave him unavailable to play in Phoenix for the second leg of a back-to-back. The veteran is expected to receive routine maintenance days throughout the season, and those expected absences along with his usually harmful field-goal percentages could warrant deactivating him some weeks. Expect Metta World Peace to see an increased role and start in place of Bryant on Monday. Bryant should be ready to go when the Lakers take the court again Friday versus the Raptors.