Kobe Bryant resting again Friday against Mavericks

Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant will once again be rested Friday against the Dallas Mavericks, reports Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times.

Bryant is dealing with a number of nagging injuries and so the 36-year-old will sit out his third-consecutive game.

Through 27 games played, Bryant is logging 35.4 minutes per game and using approximately a third of the Lakers' possessions while he is one the court. His per game averages of 24.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists are respectable, but his excessive workload has played a part in Bryant posting the worst shooting percentage (37.2 percent) of his career.

The Lakers are 1-1 in games in which Bryant has missed this season. Head coach Byron Scott noted that Bryant is probable to return Sunday against the Phoenix Suns, reports Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News.