Bryant (42) Throws Coop for a Loop

Kobe Bryant added an accessory to his game-day wardrobe, a tape job on his right thumb, the most recent symbol in a growing collection of strains and sprains.

An anatomically correct chart of Bryant would denote a strained left shoulder, an on-again off-again case of plantar fasciitis in the left foot and now a slightly sprained right thumb, the result of a botched steal attempt Saturday in practice.

Along those lines, an accurate sketch of the Lakers after Sunday would show Bryant’s third consecutive game of more than 40 points and two consecutive Laker victories after a 99-91 decision against the Denver Nuggets in front of 18,997 at Staples Center.

Bryant had 42 points on 14-for-29 shooting, bringing his scoring line over the last three games to 42-48-42.

“I don’t know if I would call it special,” Bryant said. “To me it’s just going out there and doing what I have to do. Whatever people take from that, they take from that. But to me it’s just going out there and doing the best job I can.”

Across the way, Michael Cooper returned to Staples Center as a head coach, at least partially, having assumed the role of the Nuggets’ interim coach last week. Cooper, who coached the Sparks to two WNBA championships, was a top-notch defender in 12 seasons as a Laker swingman, a reason why his assessment of Bryant’s play drew a few looks of surprise.

“We held Kobe in check,” he said. “We held this team all the way to the end. We had a chance to win.”

Credit Cooper with 50-50 accuracy. Bryant wasn’t exactly held down, but the Nuggets did have a late chance, hacking a 16-point Laker lead down to two after Nene made a layup with 2:26 left to play.

But Bryant scored the Lakers’ next eight points, among them a driving layup in transition (with help from Caron Butler) with 1:53 left to play and the Lakers ahead, 87-83.

Butler waited for Carmelo Anthony to make a move with the ball, blocked Anthony’s shot and batted the ball to Bryant above the arc.

Butler said Laker Coach Rudy Tomjanovich told him “they were definitely going to Carmelo. I knew he was going to fake one way and go another. I just tried to time him. Good job of timing, I guess.”

Said Tomjanovich: “We had to have something. We’ve seen all over the league and with us how leads can evaporate. He goes out and makes a big block.”

Bryant, who sustained a strained left shoulder Tuesday against Toronto, jammed his thumb into Jumaine Jones’ knee Saturday after trying to poke the ball away from him.

It apparently wasn’t too serious, despite a tape job that started on his right wrist and extended to his thumb.

“Attacking the basket, making his jumpers, I think he’s got a great rhythm going,” Tomjanovich said. “I’m just relaxing. He’s got a rhythm. Don’t try to mess with the rhythm too much. Let him flow.”

The Nuggets played without injured starters Marcus Camby and Greg Buckner, and forward Kenyon Martin played despite a strained back. Martin had 11 points in 28 minutes and Anthony had 27 points on seven-for-21 shooting.

Lamar Odom had 12 points and 15 rebounds, making up for an overaggressive beginning in which he picked up two fouls in the first 3:32.

Odom, who has taken to referring to the Lakers’ leading scorer as “Mr. Bryant,” commended Bryant for picking up the scoring void.

“That is why he is the best perimeter player in the league,” Odom said. “That is why he is Kobe Bryant. ... That’s why he is not just good, that is why he is excellent.”

Bryant also found himself in foul trouble, picking up his third with 5:18 left in the second quarter and not playing again until the third quarter.

Bryant had five fouls overall, all of them at the offensive end. On one of them, he posted up and used his left arm to swipe behind him before driving to the basket.

“I got it straight from Magic [Johnson]’s book,” Bryant said. “I said, ‘You can’t call that foul on me. Magic taught me that.’ ”

The Lakers have won two consecutive games, territory they have visited five other times this season without winning three in a row.