NEW ORLEANS -- Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant will not play Monday night against the New Orleans Hornets, sitting out a second consecutive game with an inflamed left shin.
Longtime Lakers trainer Gary Vitti evaluated Bryant on Monday morning and said Bryant's condition is improving, but that the 16-year veteran still needs more rest.
Bryant wore a walking boot following shootaround Monday and chatted with teammateRamon Sessions on the bench, but declined to speak to reporters.
Lakers coach Mike Brown said Devin Ebanks would "most likely" start in Bryant's place -- as Ebanks did in the Lakers' 125-105 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Saturday.
