Kobe Bryant Battling Ankle Injury

Celtics fans probably wish Kobe Bryant had considered resting last weekend.

According to ESPNLosAngeles.com, Bryant suffered a left ankle injury during Wednesday's game against the Bobcats and may miss time while it heals.

Bryant finished Wednesday's game with a season-low five points and experienced ankle pain before the contest.

"It was just hurting today," Bryant told the Web site following the Lakers' victory."Tried to battle through it tonight. It was just stiff. Stiff and tight."

Lakers coach Phil Jackson believes the injury limited Bryant's effectiveness on the court.

"He couldn't get off the ground, couldn't get any push off of that ankle," Jackson told ESPNLosAngeles.com. "He got out there in the third quarter and kind of kept the team in balance, kept us operating out there a little bit."

The Lakers face the Nuggets in a rematch of last season's Western Conference Finals on Friday. The Lakers have yet to announce if the ankle injury will force Bryant to miss any time.

Despite heading back to Los Angeles to receive treatment on his ankle, Bryant sounds optimistic about the injury.

"I'll be fine," Bryant said.