Kobe misses second straight game

Phoenix, AZ – Kobe Bryant will miss his second straight game due to a severely sprained ankle Monday when the Los Angeles Lakers visit the Phoenix Suns.

Bryant suffered the injury on the final play of a loss to the Hawks on Mar. 13. He gave it a go in Los Angeles' next game against the Pacers, but did not play after the first quarter and sat out Sunday's win over the Kings.

The 34-year-old Bryant ranks third in the NBA in scoring (27.1) and his 5.8 assists per game are his best since the 2004-05 campaign.