Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni said that he "expects" stars Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol to return from their injuries Friday against the Washington Wizards, reports ESPN Los Angeles' Dave McMenamin.
Without Bryant, the Lakers have gone 2-1, most recently losing to the Phoenix Suns on Monday. Out with a sprained ankle that he injured against the Atlanta Hawks last Wednesday, Bryant attempted to give the next game a go, but only lasted 12 minutes against the Indiana Pacers.
Gasol has sat for much longer. He injured his plantar fascia against the Brooklyn Nets on Feb. 5 and has only recently hit the practice court.
The return of both could give the Lakers a boost considering their thin roster. And against Washington, which as of Wednesday is the only NBA team with less than six road victories, working the duo back into the lineup in front of a Staples Center crowd could be of little risk.
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