Los Angeles Lakers veteran guards Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash are unlikely to return to play this season, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni said Monday that Bryant has not been medically cleared and Nash continues feeling soreness from chronic back problems.
The Lakers (20-39) have only 23 games left in their season. Nash has played in only 10 games this season and Bryant just six.
The 35-year-old Bryant has been out since Dec. 17 with a fracture left knee.
“The doctors haven’t cleared Kobe so it’s a non-issue right now,” D’Antoni said. “The thing is, does he get back and play some games to get his rhythm back for next year or just wait? So I don’t know.”
D’Antoni also did not sound hopeful for Nash, who turned 40 last month,
“I don’t know what to tell you,” D’Antoni said. “What’s the endgame? We’ve talked about it. He’s not completely healthy. We have 23 games left. We’re not going to make the playoffs. …”
—Brooklyn Nets center Jason Collins will sign a second 10-day contract with the team Wednesday, multiple media outlets reported Monday.
Collins, who was set to make his home debut in Brooklyn on Monday night against the Chicago Bulls, last week became the first openly gay athlete to compete in the NBA. He declined to comment on reports that a new deal was set.
“I don’t know anything about that,” Collins said at a pregame press conference. “I let my agent handle the business side. …
A 12-year veteran, Collins has played for six teams during his career, including a seven-year stay in New Jersey with the Nets from 2001-08.
—The Chicago Bulls released a statement Monday regarding the death of owner Jerry Reinsdorf’s son, David.
“The Reinsdorf family has suffered a terrible loss today with the untimely passing of son David Reinsdorf, age 51,” the statement read. “Jerry, Martyl and the entire Reinsdorf family appreciate the sympathetic thoughts and prayers from all of their friends and acquaintances, however, the family members do request privacy and your understanding at this time as they deal with this very personal loss.”
Jerry Reinsdorf also owns the Chicago White Sox.
—Mark Barnhill, a spokesman for Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores, wrote in an email to MLive.com that Isiah Thomas is not being considered to replace general manager Joe Dumars.
Thomas is expected to attend the reunion of the Pistons’ 1989 and 1990 NBA championship teams March 28 at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
The New York Daily News reported that Thomas is a leading candidate to replace Dumars, citing league sources.
“If people are gonna manufacture rumors every time we are seen in the same room as someone, it’s gonna be a long few weeks as we head into the Bad Boys reunion and beyond,” Barnhill said.