Foot injury keeps Bryant out of practice

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant skipped a second consecutive practice Tuesday due to a strained right foot, but he isn't expected to miss a game.

Bryant told reporters he believed he'd be at 90 percent for Wednesday's game in Utah against the Jazz. However, coach Mike Brown said he might try to limit Bryant's game action after the star averaged 37 minutes per game during the team's first four contests.

"I want to try to really be conscious of Kobe's minutes," Brown told reporters. "What I can do is as we go on is continue to be more conscious of not throwing him out there."

Despite being hobbled by the foot injury since the preseason, Bryant is averaging 26.8 points, five rebounds and three assists per game.

Regarding his playing time, Bryant told reporters, "Whatever needs to get done gets done. It's tough to sit there and say there's a certain amount of minutes you need to play every single night. I think every night is a little different."

The Lakers lost their first three games this season before blowing out the Detroit Pistons on Sunday.