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Kobe to Sit Out Final Two Preseason Games

Kobe Bryant will not play in either of the Lakers' final two preseason games, head coach Byron Scott announced before Wednesday's contest against the Portland Trail Blazers. Bryant will be back in the lineup for the team's season opener against Houston Oct. 28.

"I just think he needs some rest," Scott said. "Think he's shown me enough. Think we're all pretty happy where he is."

Bryant, who played just six games last season due to injury, had a strong preseason showing. The 16-time all-star has eclipsed 25 points in all of his last three preseason games.

"Each game I wanted to see if he just got stronger," Scott said. "That's why the last couple games was more playing in the second half, later in the second quarters and later in the fourth quarters to see how his body would react.

"And what I saw the last couple of games: He's getting that lift. He just looks strong down the stretch. And I thought that was all important. So, like I said, endurance-wise I think he's there. He's in great physical condition."He was OK with it. I think if it was regular season it might have been a little different. He was OK, but he understands what the goal is, and obviously the goal is to get out to a pretty good start as far as he was concerned: build up his minutes and his endurance and everything and just kinda go from there."

Scott said that Wayne Ellington will start in Bryant's place at shooting guard against Portland.