Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers plans on playing in Tuesday's season opener against the Dallas Mavericks after being sidelined for more than a week with a strained right foot injury.
"I feel pretty good right now," Bryant said after participating in running drills at the team's shootaround Tuesday. "I never get clearance. Either I'm ready to go or I'm not ready to go. But they've done a great job treating me and getting me ready. We've been together for so long that they trust my judgment."
Bryant suffered the injury against the Sacramento Kings on Oct. 21 when he tripped on Thomas Robinson's foot while cutting through the lane. He missed the team's final two preseason games and seven consecutive days of practice.
"Ankle sprains really don't bother me," the 34-year-old said. "I've rolled it so many times that I really don't have anything left down there. This was more like an ankle contusion. The swelling just went down to the tendon that runs beneath my foot, and I couldn't put any pressure on it whatsoever."
The Lakers follow Tuesday's game against the Mavs with the second night of a back-to-back Wednesday on the road against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Bryant said his availability for that game would depend on how his foot responds.
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