Mike D'Antoni has described Kobe Bryant's absence from yesterday's Los Angeles Lakers practice as "precautionary".

The shooting guard, who is continuing his recovery from an Achilles injury, was cleared to return to basketball activities last weekend, but sat out yesterday's session.

The head coach told reporters: "He had a hard two days and just took the day off, and he'll either ramp it up [today] or the next day.

"I think it's just precautionary. I know everybody is eager, but it's going to be a little bit of a process and [we will] make sure he is healthy when he comes back.

"It's just like training camp. By the third day, it's tough. And that's what he's kind of going through right now."

Bryant ruptured the tendon in April.

Written by
Sian Cowper