Kobe Bryant Update: Lakers list Kobe as questionable vs. Mavericks with sore back

The Los Angeles Lakers are officially listing Kobe Bryant as questionable against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, reports Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News. Bryant sat out both games of the Lakers' back-to-back in Florida, resting while he deals with back soreness he's felt since training camp.

Kobe said he hoped to play against Dallas, though they're focused on making sure once he returns his back pain won't come along with him, according to Medina. That means a cautious approach is being taken, and with their stop in Texas being the final game of a five-game road trip, letting Kobe take some extra time until they get back to Los Angeles could be beneficial.

It's been a surprisingly sudden shift, though, from Bryant openly declaring to Scott he'd like to play in all 82 games if possible just days before going through his first stint of DNP's of the season. Ultimately it's for the better, and the Lakers' are making due with a surprisingly effective Metta World Peace in his place.

Tipoff against the Mavericks is at 5:30 p.m. PT. Expect final word on Kobe's status in the hours leading up to their dance with Dirk Nowitzki.