Bryant was a full participant in the Lakers' Tuesday practice, taking part in 5-on-5 with the team and showing little rust.

“I’m pleasantly surprised, Bryant said, according to the team. "Been doing some things… It’s always different in a game though.”

As for when he will play in a game, there still is no set date for his return. The Lakers previously said they would defer to Bryant on his level of practice involvement, and they are likely to take the same approach with games.

“It’s tough to say," Bryant said. "Monitor how it goes today and see if I can come back and go full bore tomorrow.”

While he was out, Bryant worked on his body. He said he will return better equipped to handle the physical side of basketball.

“I’m a lot, lot stronger," Bryant said. "Able to hold defenders off with my off-hand. Much, much stronger.”

Bryant is aware that he will rejoin a different team from the last Lakers squad he played with, and he will have to find ways to make them better while also working himself into basketball shape. He doesn't have a plan in place to attack that issue, though.

The Lakers' personal Twitter account provided some visuals of Bryant's first day back with the team. Check it out below.


PIECE OF HISTORY


Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul has started his NBA season by making a little history.

In posting 18 points and 11 assists in a Monday loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, Paul tied Hall of Famer Magic Johnson's record for double-doubles to start a season.

Paul has now posted a double-double in each of his team's first 11 games to maintain season averages of 19.5 points and 12.6 assists. The Clippers are 7-4 in those games.

As pointed out over at ProBasketballTalk, Paul is currently assisting on 52.8 percent of the Clippers' points when he is on the floor. He's taken advantage of the talent around him, which includes Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, two players known to catch a few lobs at the bucket.

Also benefiting Paul is the addition of J.J. Redick, whose shooting can help spread the floor and complement Paul's driving ability. But, once he gets in the lane, Paul is making the right decisions and finding teammates for makeable buckets.


ALLEN SUSPENDED


The NBA has suspended Grizzlies guard Tony Allen one game without pay for kicking Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul in the face.

Rod Thorn, the NBA's president of basketball operations, announced the penalty Tuesday.

Allen was given a flagrant 2 foul and ejected after his left leg caught Paul's face with 1:51 left in the first quarter of Memphis' 106-102 win over the Clippers on Monday night in Los Angeles.

He will sit out the Grizzlies' next game Wednesday night when Memphis visits Golden State.


CURRY SITS


Stephen Curry will not play for the Golden State Warriors against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night because of what the team is calling a "mild concussion."

Curry was injured in the fourth quarter of Golden State's 98-87 victory at Utah on Monday night. The star point guard left the game after hitting his head on the court in a scramble for a loose ball.

The Warriors said Tuesday that Curry's only symptom was a headache, which had since dissipated. His status is day to day.

Curry is averaging 19.9 points, 8.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game this season.

Contributors: DeAntae Prince, The Associated Press