Lakers’ Bryant Expected to Play in Season Opener

Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant missed his third straight preseason game Thursday, sitting out his team’s 136-97 loss in its preseason finale against the Golden State Warriors at the Honda Center with a lower leg contusion. Lakers coach Byron Scott said he still expects the 37-year-old Bryant, who is in his 20th season with the Lakers, to play in the team’s regular-season opener Oct. 28 against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center.

“There’s no doubt in my mind [that he’ll play in that game],” Scott said before his team faced the Warriors on Thursday. “Talking to him [Thursday], he said he’s just gearing up for Wednesday. I said, ‘Good, because that’s what I’m gearing up for as well.’ There’s no doubt in my mind. It will take a whole lot to keep him out of that game.”

Source: Baxter Holmes of ESPN