On January 31 at Memphis, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Grizzlies.

But the win became secondary and the only thing that mattered was the next day, when results would be known regarding Andrew Bynum’s injury, and we all know how that turned out.

Earlier tonight against the New Jersey Nets, the Lakers won again.

Pau Gasol had a spectacular game, Lamar Odom came up with some big rebounds, including a late tip-in off a Kobe Bryant miss, and Derek Fisher’s shot was falling.

Not only did they win, but they also have started their seven-game road trip 4-0 and clinched the No. 1 seed for the Western Conference playoffs.

But does any of this really matter?

Bryant went down with a sprained ankle in the last couple minutes of the first half. He came back after halftime and played his normal minutes, including a big third quarter.

But is there anyone in Los Angeles that won’t want to know how Kobe is feeling when he wakes up tomorrow?

Personally, I’m not worried in the slightest bit.

From the look of how Kobe played and his lateral movement, I have no doubt that he will be fine and I expect him to be fully ready for the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday.

After all, he does have “ankle insurance” and has already shown he’ll play sick, injured or basically through anything.

But that doesn’t mean that one of the things I’ll be doing tomorrow is waiting for ESPN or the Los Angeles Times to have an update on Kobe’s status.

The entire NBA knows this feeling all too well this season with all the injuries.

Let the waiting resume.

Can I buy a close Sweet 16 game to pass the time?

Yawn.

Update: Thank you Kansas and Michigan St.

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