National Basketball Association

Kobe likely to sit out Sunday vs. Dallas

Published Apr. 14, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Kobe Bryant probably will miss his fifth consecutive game when the Los Angeles Lakers host the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.

Lakers coach Mike Brown says the NBA scoring leader is likely to take another game off to rest his bruised left shin.

The Lakers are 3-1 without Bryant, beating the Denver Nuggets 103-97 on Friday night.

Bryant is walking comfortably on his leg without protection, but hasn't tried running or jumping with the injury yet. The Lakers have six games left before the postseason after clinching a playoff berth Friday.

Brown returned to the Lakers for Saturday's practice after missing Friday's game to deal with an undisclosed personal matter. Brown wouldn't elaborate on the reason he abruptly left Staples Center shortly before game time.