Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard Out Against Clippers

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

The chances of the Lakers finishing the preseason without a victory are increasing by the hour. Not that it really makes a difference but even at close to full strength the Lake Show still came up short against the Kings on Sunday. So the news of both Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard sitting out tonight’s contest against the Clippers only strengthens the belief that another L is in the cards.

But the result of tonight’s game is far from important. What’s simmering on the front burner is the health of KB24 who said he wouldn’t have played tonight even if this was regular season game. That’s saying something knowing the gamer Bryant is.

Initially his sore right foot had kept him out of action as a precautionary measure. But after further upsetting the injury during a freak occurrence on Sunday it is now clear that this is a real issue.

Howard on the other hand is just taking it slow on his road to recovery. Despite looking like he was pretty much up to speed in his debut there is no sense in the Lakers pushing Howard when there is nothing to play for other than conditioning. The length of the season will allow DH12 to work his way into game shape, not that he’s that far away anyway.

The bit of good news there Lakers did receive is that Jordan Hill will be back in the lineup tonight well ahead of schedule as he recovers from a back injury.