Kobe Bryant practices, will play in preseason opener

Lakers fans can officially exhale.

Not that they had any reason to worry, but Kobe Bryant practiced Saturday without any limitations after missing two workouts on Friday because of a sore right foot. Bryant will play in the Lakers’ preseason opener Sunday when the Lakers travel to Fresno to play the Golden State Warriors.

“He looked good,” Lakers Coach Mike Brown said. “His foot was hurt, but he’s fine.”

Bryant, who didn’t speak to reporters after practice, was stretching with the Lakers’ training staff when the facility was open to the media. Brown provided little detail on what exactly led to the soreness in Bryant’s foot, but the Lakers don’t consider the injury that serious.

With the Lakers about to play eight preseason games, though, it wouldn’t be surprising if Bryant had a limited role. But Brown contends he hasn’t officially outlined his minutes sheet to exactly say how much Bryant will play.

“I’ll watch it day by day,” Brown said. “We’re not going to play their normal minutes to start off.”

Bryant averaged 38.3 minutes a game last season, though Brown plans to decrease that number with the signing of sharpshooter Jodie Meeks.

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