Kobe Bryant will be in the Los Angeles Lakers' starting lineup in his first game back since tearing his Achilles in April, the team officially announced via Twitter. The Lakers face the Toronto Raptors in his season debut. Bryant will be the starting shooting guard, sending Jodie Meeks to the bench.
Kobe Bryant will start in first game back from Achilles injury
Kobe Bryant makes his season-debut against the Raptors Sunday and will be in the starting lineup.
Greg Smith-USA TODAY Sports
The Lakers' starters will be Steve Blake, Kobe Bryant, Wesley Johnson, Pau Gasol and Robert Sacre. Tip-off is at 9:30 p.m. ET and will be aired on NBATV.
Silver Screen and Roll: Cherishing Kobe's return
Bryant’s minutes are expected to be limited as he gets back into game shape. Mike D’Antoni did not put a specific number on his minutes in his first game back but told reporters he would be surprised if it exceeds the “twenties,” according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN. The Lakers have depth in the wings to ease him back into the rotation after the career-altering injury he suffered last season.
Meeks is averaging career-highs in points per game, field goal percentage and three-point percentage as the Lakers’ starting shooting guard in Bryant’s absence. D’Antoni previously stated he was weighing his options on which wing would play in the starting lineup with Bryant and ultimately decided to keep Johnson with the starters.
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