EL SEGUNDO -- If you're wondering about the state of Kobe Bryant's ankle and his status for Friday's game with Denver, keep wondering.
Bryant did not make himself available to the media after the Lakers' practice Thursday, leaving others to opine or guess about his condition.
Phil Jackson said Bryant stayed out of practice and was "trying a variety of therapies" on the previously injured left ankle, re-aggravated in Wednesday's game with Charlotte when Lamar Odom stepped on it late in the second quarter.
He also said Bryant "sure wants to" play against Denver, but that would depend on his condition as of Friday. And Jackson said the thought of holding Bryant out of game action had crossed his mind.
"It occurred to me (Wednesday) during the course of that game," Jackson said. "I told him he did quite well during the game, even though his shooting was 2 for 12. A lot of those balls were dropped on him as the 24-second clock was running out. These kids are so used to just giving him the ball at the end of the clock and making him develop a shot.
But he kept us running the offense, his defense was good, and he did some real good things out there."
Odom, meanwhile, clearly will be surprised if Bryant doesn't play against the Nuggets.
"Kobe usually plays 82 games since I've been here," said Odom. "He has a broken finger and plays. So that wheel's going to really have to hurt for him not to play.
"If he's hurt, hopefully other guys can step up and play well. He's hard to replace."