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Kobe sits 3rd, Lakers lose 2nd straight game at Dallas

December 26, 2014

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant looks on from the bench in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks, Friday, December 26, 2014 in Dallas, Texas. Bryant was sitting out his third straight game to rest his sore body but could be back in the lineup when the Lakers return home for their next outing. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)

Kobe Bryant sat out his third straight game to rest his sore body, as the Los Angeles Lakers came up short in Dallas Friday night 102-98.

The 36-year-old Bryant has said his knees, feet, back and Achilles tendons are all sore. He was sidelined Tuesday night when the Laker shocked NBA-leading Golden State Warriors at home, then again Christmas night at Chicago. The road game against the Dallas Mavericks was the third in four nights for the Lakers.

“If he had felt good he would have gone last night and tonight as well,” Scott said before the Lakers faced the Mavericks . “Just didn’t feel good last night and back-to-back 24 hours, not going to feel a whole lot better. I think he feels pretty good about going for Sunday’s game.”

Scott said a reduction in Bryant’s minutes was likely a consideration when he returns. He’s averaging a team-high 35.5 minutes, about 3 fewer per game than his past two full seasons in 2011-2012 and 2012-13.

Bryant tore his left Achilles late in the 2012-13 season, and played just six games last season after breaking a bone in his left knee last December.

“We both thought that 30-40 minute mark was pretty good,” Scott said. “Obviously we’re going to have to adjust that a little bit. But this is new for both of us.”

In his 19th NBA season, Bryant entered Friday third in the league in scoring at 24.6 points per game. He passed Michael Jordan for third place on the career scoring list Dec. 14 at Minnesota.

The Lakers (9-21) scored eight straight points in the very last minute to get within three points of the Mavericks, but could not overcome a cold shooting night by both Wesley Johnson (11 points) and Nick Young (15 points). Johnson was 1 for 11, Young was 1 for 9 before the last-quarter flurry.

Mavericks (21-10) star Dirk Nowitzki moved into eighth place on the all-time scoring list during this game, passing Hall of Fame forward Elvin Hayes.

The 36-year-old German seven-footer needed six points entering the game to pass Hayes, who finished his career with 27,313 points, and will likely pass Moses Malone (27,409 career points) in early January to move into seventh on the all-time scoring list.

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*AP materials were used in this article.