Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol probable to start against Wizards tonight
According to Kobe Bryant’s Twitter feed, the Lakers All-Star guard is probable for the Lakers’ battle at Staples Center Friday night against the Washington Wizards.
Ankle was a lil sore from practice yesterday but should be good to go tonight #mambaface — Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) March 22, 2013
A Lakers spokesman confirmed that Pau Gasol and Bryant are probable to start against the Wizards. Gasol has missed more than six weeks with a foot injury. Bryant has been out for almost three full games with a sprained ankle.
Gasol would get the nod over Earl Clark at power forward.
Coach Mike D’Antoni initially expressed concern about Gasol’s conditioning after so much time off and considered using him off the bench for a few games. D’Antoni, though, prefers to start Gasol, despite benching him earlier in the season for Clark.
It’s likely that Gasol will start with his playing time closely monitored until his conditioning improves.
The Utah Jazz are playing in San Antonio on Friday as well. A Lakers (36-33) victory coupled with a Utah (34-34) loss would put the Lakers 2 1/2 games ahead of the ninth-place Jazz.
ALSO:
Dwight Howard surprises fans at LAX, talks Lakers’ health
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar makes ‘Splash’ in celebrity diving competition
Gasol and Bryant scrimmage Thursday, will play Friday, D’Antoni says
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
All things Lakers, all the time.
Get all the Lakers news you need in Dan Woike's weekly newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
