Lakers’ Kobe Bryant to miss another game due to shin injury

Kobe Bryant will miss Monday night’s game against New Orleans because of a sore left shin.

Bryant also missed the Lakers’ 125-105 loss Saturday against Phoenix because of the injury, which initially occurred March 31 when he got kicked in the shin while playing against New Orleans.

He played the next four games before sitting out Saturday.

The Hornets have the worst record in the Western Conference, but the Lakers have struggled in two victories over them this season.

The Lakers lead the Clippers by only half a game and complete a three-game trip Wednesday in San Antonio.

Bryant is averaging a league-high 28.1 points. Devin Ebanks scored 12 points after taking Bryant’s spot in the starting lineup against Phoenix.

[Updated at 10:54 a.m.

Lakers Coach Mike Brown said Ebanks “most likely� would get another start in Bryant’s place on Monday.

“Obviously I would rather have Kobe than not, let’s get that clear, but it’s good for him to rest,� Brown said. “It’s good for him to take some time off and get his body right and get this injury right, especially at this point in the season. I don’t see anything wrong with it.

“I’d rather he be fresh going into the playoffs and us be fourth or fifth [in the conference] than him hurting or dinged up going into the playoffs and we’re third.� ]