Injured Kobe Bryant ‘thinking about’ playing tonight vs. Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS — Kobe Bryant will be a game-time decision Friday against the Indiana Pacers, Lakers Coach Mike D’Antoni said.

Bryant was not on the court for the team’s morning shoot-around because he was getting treatment for a severely sprained left ankle and, D’Antoni said, “thinking about” playing.

“Obviously, he’ll get better every day and we’ll just see. When he can go, he’ll go,” D’Antoni added.

Jodie Meeks would start in Bryant’s place against Indiana if Bryant can’t play.

Bryant did not speak to reporters Friday morning.

Two days earlier, he had suggested he was injured when Dahntay Jones knowingly chose to “walk underneath” him while Bryant landed from an off-target fadeaway in the final seconds of the Lakers’ 96-92 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

Jones said he did not intentionally harm Bryant.

The NBA said Thursday that a foul should have been called and two free throws awarded to Bryant because he was not given “the opportunity to land cleanly back on the floor.”

The Lakers trailed at the time, 94-92, and had to foul Kyle Korver with 2.6 seconds left after Bryant’s missed shot. Korver made both free throws to clinch the victory.

Pau Gasol will play Sunday against Sacramento or more likely Monday against Phoenix, D’Antoni said. Gasol has been sidelined since Feb. 5 because of a tear in the bottom of his right foot.

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