Just two days after injuring his shoulder in the Lakers’ preseason finale, Jordan Clarkson is already back to practicing fully.
Though Saturday’s session went at a mostly 50 percent pace, according to head coach Byron Scott, Clarkson’s participation was a welcome sign that points to him potentially playing in Wednesday’s season opener.
“It was like a little sharp pain, but I didn’t think it was serious after the game either,” said Clarkson, who is listed with a sore right shoulder. “It was one of those things you’ve got to rest.”
Clarkson described his ailment as a straining of his rotator cuff.
Scott expects to have a clearer picture of Clarkson’s status during Sunday’s practice, in which he plans to ramp up the intensity.
Bryant Back to Shooting
Kobe Bryant continued his steady progression back from a lower-leg contusion, as he received treatment and went through shooting at Saturday’s practice.
“We’ll see how he feels tomorrow,” Scott said. “Try to ramp it up a little bit more. But he was out here participating in some of the shooting. It was a really light day anyway.”
Scott remains confident that Bryant will play in the season opener, and hopes that the five-time champion will return for practice on Monday and Tuesday. Bryant described his left leg to Scott as “a little stiff,” though he said that he was able to put weight on it Saturday.
“I think he wants to make sure he’s able to run and cut,” Scott said. “Lateral improvements are important. I don’t know if he’ll be 110 percent, but the closer we can get him to that number, the better.”
Nance Flies
Having already earned a reputation for his dunks with a thunderous slam against Golden State, Larry Nance, Jr. put on a bit of a show at the end of practice by throwing down a windmill off a lob from assistant coach Thomas Scott.