Kobe sits out 2nd straight game for Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers were without Kobe Bryant for a second straight contest Wednesday night when they fell at the buzzer to the Magic in Orlando.
Bryant's nursing a bad back which, when you're 37 and have played over 1,500 NBA games, will tend to happen. He said after sitting out Tuesday's game against the Miami Heat that his back was giving him trouble walking.
Lakers head coach Byron Scott is optimistic the future Hall of Famer will be able to return to action Friday, though he'll have to reevaluate his progress Thursday.
In six games this season, Bryant's averaging 16.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 29.2 minutes, while shooting 32 percent from the field and 20.8 percent from 3-point range.
Magic coach Scott Skiles expressed disappointment that he didn't get to coach against Bryant on Wednesday, and not just because those woeful shooting percentages were taken out of the equation.
"The thing I admire most is his seriousness about the game," Skiles said.
For the second straight night, Metta World Peace drew the start in Bryant's place.