EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Kobe Bryant's sprained right foot might be more of a problem than first thought.
The Los Angeles Lakers star sat out practice for the second straight day Thursday, and his availability for tonight's sixth game of the Western Conference finals at Portland is in question.Team spokesman John Black listed Bryant, an All-NBA second team selection, as probable, saying a decision would be made shortly before the opening tipoff.
While Bryant didn't speak with reporters before the team flew to Portland, Lakers coach Phil Jackson sounded uncertain about his status.
"He's not ready to practice yet," Jackson said. "We don't know. We'll know game-time about that."
Bryant sprained his foot in the first quarter of Tuesday night's 96-88 loss to the Trail Blazers at Staples Center that trimmed the Lakers' lead in the best-of-seven series to 3-2 and forced a sixth game.
He continued to play and had a subpar performance, scoring 17 points on 4-of-13 shooting before fouling out with 4:45 remaining. X-rays following the game showed no fracture, and further X-rays and an MRI on Wednesday were negative.
Bryant said that day he expected to be better Thursday and, when asked if he'd be ready tonight, replied, "Oh, absolutely."
He also said his sprained foot was no factor in his subpar performance in Game 5.
"I know he'll be out there," reserve forward Robert Horry said. "It's the most important game of his career so far. He'll be out there."
As for the possibility of Bryant playing and being slowed by the injury, Horry said, "It might be a blessing in disguise. He won't be able to run around so much."
Bryant committed six of the Lakers' 16 turnovers in Game 5, prompting Jackson to say he played out of control at times.
"If his foot isn't amputated, I expect him to give it a go," backup guard Derek Fisher said. "Eighty to 85 percent of Kobe Bryant is a lot better than a lot of people. We feel like with Kobe, we can go in there and win. Without him, it definitely makes life a little harder.
"If Kobe can play, he'll play. I expect him to at least go out there and give it a shot. I don't know how much pain he is in."
Bryant is averaging 17.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 5.6 assists in the conference finals and 21.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 15 playoff games.
Bryant worked out lightly Wednesday, and might very well have tried to do more had Jackson not ordered him to the sidelines. He was dressed in practice gear Thursday, but didn't work out, instead receiving treatment.
"We realize he does have an injury," forward Glen Rice said. "As a group, we have to band together and be strong. I definitely think Kobe's going to be limited."