Lakers’ Week 6 in review

The Lakers finally got Kobe Bryant back from his Achilles’ tendon tear at the end of Week 6.

The week began with news that Jordan Farmar would miss a month with a torn hamstring. He received a platelet-rich plasma shot with hopes that it would speed up his recovery.

The Lakers didn’t play until Friday night, giving the team time to practice. Bryant was able participate, and even dunk during a Lakers’ scrimmage.

Steve Nash, out with back issues, was able to rejoin practice in a limited capacity but didn’t appear as close to a return as Bryant.

Nash would prefer to avoid a ‘yo-yo season’ back and forth to the injured list.

Pau Gasol had his ankle evaluated but was able to play through a mild sprain.

With Farmar out and Bryant returning, the Lakers’ All-Star guard may be an option at point guard.

The buzz that Bryant would play Friday against the Sacramento Kings was enough for NBA TV to add the game to its national schedule.

But Bryant ruled himself out for Friday, and NBA TV quickly rescheduled its national broadcast to Sunday with the Lakers facing the Toronto Raptors.

After three straight days of practice, Bryant said he felt strong and soon after announced he would return Sunday.

The Lakers pushed through a difficult challenge in Sacramento on Friday, winning 106-100 with a strong fourth-quarter performance.

Rookie Ryan Kelly went instead to Bakersfield, to join the D-Fenders. Kelly scored 30 points to giving his team its first win of the season. Kelly has quickly proven to be one of the D-League’s top scorers. The Lakers brought him back to the NBA in time for Sunday’s game against the Raptors.

L.A. recently cut its only other rookie, Elias Harris, saving about $1.1 million.

Without Bryant, Coach Mike D’Antoni led the Lakers to success, with a winning record despite minimal star power on his roster.

D’Antoni cautions that Bryant won’t be ‘above the rim’ for a while and that it’s Bryant’s teammates who will need to adjust to his return.

Bryant’s history with the Lakers is long, and the NBA welcomed Bryant back with this spot. Nike also paid tribute to Bryant with this commercial.

Turkish Airlines also released a new commercial featuring soccer star Lionel Messi and Bryant trying to outdo each other.

Bryant finally made his return Sunday night but was noticeably rusty. The Raptors led all night and the Lakers fell, 106-94.

The Lakers and the NBA took time to reflect on the passing of Nelson Mandela.

Finally, James Worthy and Byron Scott gave pitch-perfect Nick Young impressions on the Time Warner Cable SportsNet broadcast.

Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.