UPDATE: Kobe Bryant is now officially in the Lakers' starting lineup, according to Mike Trudell.
Kobe Bryant injury: Lakers star to start vs. Pacers
It appears that Kobe Bryant isn’t human after all with the news that the Lakers superstar is set to play through his severely sprained ankle.
USA TODAY Sports
Lakers head coach Mike D'Antoni "anticipates" that Kobe Bryant will play through his severely sprained left ankle and start Friday against the Pacers, according to the team's sideline reporter Mike Trudell.
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Trudell reports that D’Antoni first called Bryant a “game-time decision” before being pressed into admitting that he expects him to be on the court. D’Antoni also shared that he doesn’t intend Bryant to be used as a decoy.
Bryant initially suffered the injury after landing awkwardly on Dahntay Jones foot following his potential game-tying, fade-away jump shot with 3.9 seconds remaining in Wednesday's loss to the Hawks. Bryant was originally ruled out indefinitely after the injury, but his condition has apparently improved. Jones has since claimed that he wasn't trying to intentionally injure Bryant despite their tumultuous history.
Bryant is currently tied for second in the NBA in points per game at 27.5. Bryant is also averaging 5.8 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game and has yet to miss a game this season.
The Lakers currently hold a half-game lead over the Utah Jazz for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference.
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