Kobe Bryant misses 3rd straight game with sore shoulder
LOS ANGELES (AP) Kobe Bryant is sitting out his third straight game for the Los Angeles Lakers with a sore right shoulder.
Lakers coach Byron Scott made the announcement before Los Angeles hosted the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night.
Rookie guard D'Angelo Russell also missed the game with a sore throat.
Bryant hasn't played since scoring 15 points at Boston on Dec. 30. Scott says the 20-year veteran's shoulder is feeling better.
Scott says Bryant is optimistic he will return Thursday at Sacramento.
The Lakers won their first two games without Bryant, and they faced the Warriors on their first three-game winning streak since February.
Russell missed a game for the first time this season. The No. 2 overall draft pick is averaging 11.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.
