Kobe Bryant injury: Doubtful against Suns

Kobe Bryant did not play in the Los Angeles Lakers' victory over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday after deciding to not even test his ankle pregame, and is considered doubtful when the Lakers visit the Phoenix Suns Monday, via Kevin Ding of the O.C. Register:

Bryant is considered doubtful to play Monday in Phoenix, according to a Lakers spokesman.

Kobe missed his first game of the season Sunday while the Lakers ran a seven-man rotation that proved potent enough to put the Kings away. The Lakers will have a three-day layoff after they play the Suns, next playing the Washington Wizards on Friday.

In Kobe's absence Jodie Meeks will continue to start. Meeks had only six points while going one-for-five from deep while filling in for Kobe.

With the Houston Rockets losing last night to the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers are now only a half game behind the Rockets for the seven seed and have pulled a full game ahead of the Utah Jazz for the eight seed. The Lakers have not won both games in a back-to-back yet this season and it appears they will have to attempt to break that trend without Kobe on deck.

- Drew

- Follow this author on Twitter @DrewGarrisonSBN

More on the Lakers:

• Roundtable: What is the Los Angeles Lakers' offensive identity?
• The Nash-Bryant Role Reversal
• Jordan Hill injury: Could return by late April
• Final Score: Lakers surpass Kings 113-102
• Buoyed by great role player performances, the Lakers stayed effective without Kobe Bryant

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