The Los Angeles Lakers may get Kobe Bryant back on Friday after the star sat out against the Phoenix Suns on Monday night. D'Angelo Russell and Lou Williams have been struggling for Byron Scott as of late, while rookie Anthony Brown has been playing well in the D-League for the LA affiliate team.
The Lakers are coming into the game on Friday night against the Raptors after a loss to the Suns and the team is hoping to have Bryant back in the starting lineup. The team is 2-9 on the season after winning over the Pistons and losing to the Suns and Byron Scott is looking for things to start clicking for the Lakers roster. Bryant coming back could help get things going. According to beat reporter Mike Trudell, Bryant did not practice on Wednesday and instead had treatment for his back and his shoulder.
Eric Pincus at Basketball Insiders reports that Bryant is not on the injury report for Friday against the Raptors and the Lakers have no one on the roster listed as injured for the game. Metta World Peace has been starting with Bryant dealing with some injuries and once Bryant comes back, Peace likely will be brought in off the bench. Bryant has played in eight games this season for the Lakers and is averaging 16.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting 33 percent from the floor.
The Lakers are expecting growing pains this season for D'Angelo Russell and head coach Byron Scott said that the point guard needs to work more on his defense. Russell has been getting benched at times late in games for the Lakers and Scott said that defensive issues are part of the reason why. Russell is averaging 9.5 points and 2.7 assists per game this year in 11 games and the Lakers are hoping that he can turn things around as the season goes on.
Lou Williams was one of the notable free agent signings by the Lakers this offseason and so far he has been slow to get things going for the Lakers. According to Bill Oram of The Orange County Register, Scott said that he is "not worried" about Williams getting a handle on the offense, as he is a "veteran" and will be able to get things going eventually. Williams is averaging 12.9 points and 2.8 assists this season and so far his scoring is slightly down from the 15.5 points per game he averaged for the Raptors last season.
Anthony Brown was sent down to the D-League by the Lakers after not getting much playing time to start the season and he has been performing well with the D-Fenders. Brown had 22 points, three assists and three rebounds with two steals on Tuesday night and he has helped the team start 3-0 this season. The Lakers could bring back Brown up at some point this year if he keeps playing well.