Kobe Bryant Returning Oct. 6? Lakers Preseason Schedule

On Monday morning, the Los Angeles Lakers announced their preseason schedule for the 2014-15 NBA season, and all eyes are on their Oct. 6 preseason opener against the Denver Nuggets at Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, Ca.

Why? Well, that would be the day Kobe Bryant likely returns to the floor wearing an LA Lakers’ jersey.

Bryant only took part in six games during the 2013-14 season, and his last appearance was on Dec. 17 in Memphis. Nine and a half months after suffering a fracture in his left knee, Bryant appears to be back in training and on schedule for the preseason opener.

In all, the Lakers will play six preseason games between Oct. 6 and Oct. 24. After the opener against the Nuggets, the Lakers will take on the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center on Oct. 9 and at Citizens Bank Arena in Ontario, Ca on Oct. 12.

Next up, the Lakers will head to Anaheim on Oct. 16 to take on the Utah Jazz at the Honda Center. Three days later, the Lakers will host the Jazz at Staples Center.

Then, the Phoenix Suns join the Lakers in Anaheim on Oct. 21 for a tune up.

In a rare preseason back-to-back, the Lakers host the Portland Trail Blazers on Oct. 22 at Staples Center before taking a quick drive out to the desert for the preseason finale. The exhibition season will wrap up with an Oct. 24 meeting with the Sacramento Kings at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Individual game tickets for the preseason opener in San Diego will be sold at www.axs.com and will be available by phone at 1-888-9-AXS-TIX1-888-9-AXS-TIX. That same phone number comes in handy for the two games in Ontario as well. For the games in Anaheim and Las Vegas, www.ticketmaster.com and the familiar ticket hotline 1-800-4-NBA-TIX1-800-4-NBA-TIX are the best options.

Ticketing for the Staples Center preseason set will be announced at a later date.