Kobe Bryant: ‘Wishful Thinking’ He’ll Play In Lakers Final 18 Games

Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off their most impressive win of the 2015-16 NBA season. The struggling franchise was able to get the best of the league-leading Golden State Warriors on Sunday afternoon led by the talented backcourt duo of Jordan Clarkson and D’Angelo Russell.

After missing three of the last four games with a sore shoulder, Kobe Bryant was able to play on Sunday. Bryant logged 24 minutes against the defending NBA champions at the Staples Center finishing with 12 points. Although Kobe didn’t have a great performance going 4-for-14 from the floor, the superstar was able to step aside and watch the team’s talented young core get the win over arguably the best team in the league.

Following the win over the Warriors, Bryant talked about many different topics including whether he’ll be able to play in all of the 18 games remaining in his NBA career. Kobe is never one shy away from a challenge, but even he admits it may be a stretch that he’ll be able to play every game from here on out via ESPN’s Baxter Holmes:

“Dude, I don’t know,” Bryant said Sunday after the Lakers’ 112-95 win over the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center. “Hopefully all of them. I know that’s wishful thinking, but hopefully.”

Fortunately for Bryant, the schedule will get much easier for the superstar regarding travel. The Lakers only have six more games on the road this season with one of those six being at the Staples Center against the rival Los Angeles Clippers.

Bryant and company will get back to work on Tuesday night in Los Angeles with the team hosting the Orlando Magic. After facing Magic, the Lakers will host LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night followed by the New York Knicks coming to Los Angeles next Sunday.