Lakers' Kobe Bryant, D'Angelo Russell are game-time decisions vs. New Orleans
Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant (strained right Achilles) and rookie D'Angelo Russell (sprained right ankle) are game-time decisions for the team's game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday at Staples Center, according to the Los Angeles Daily News.
Lakers coach Byron Scott said he expects Julius Randle (bone bruise in right eye) and Brandon Bass (corneal abrasion in right eye) to suit up and probably play.
According to Scott, the decision will simply come down to how Bryant and Russell feel before tip-off, as those two have been dealing with their respective injuries for nearly a week now:
Randle and Bass were probable for Tuesday's game before both participated in Tuesday's shootaround, implying they will likely play. Randle had missed Monday's practice, causing some concern for Scott, but Scott described him as "okay" after Tuesday's shootaround.
Bryant, Russell and Bass all sat out Sunday’s loss against the Utah Jazz.
“From both of those guys, they have to say they’re ready,” Scott said before addressing the role of the Lakers’ head athletic trainer. “It has to come from Gary Vitti to me that he thinks those guys are okay to play. That’s basically the protocol right now. You have to listen to them. They know their bodies better than we do. If D’Angelo says, ‘Coach, I’m good to go, that’s the first step.’ Same with [Kobe] If they go to Gary and say, ‘I’m a little sore,’ and Gary says, ‘B, I think you should keep them out,’ we’ll keep them out.”
