Kobe Doesn’t Play For Lakers On Christmas Day

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kobe Bryant isn't happy about spending Christmas Day on the sideline, unable to help the struggling Los Angeles Lakers.

It's a place he's unaccustomed to being on the holiday. Bryant leads the NBA with a record 15 appearances on Christmas Day, but he's out an expected four to six weeks with a fracture in his left knee.

Bryant was to watch from the bench when the Lakers host the streaking Miami Heat on Wednesday. LeBron James and Co. has won five in a row; the Lakers have dropped two straight. Bryant's injury was diagnosed last week.

He says his recovery is going slowly because he can't put any pressure on his knee. He has been riding a bike and trying to watch his calorie intake because he's so limited physically.

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