Mike D'Antoni: It 'would be tough' for Kobe Bryant to play by Thanksgiving

A return to the NBA court still eludes Kobe Bryant. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni said it would be difficult for Kobe Bryant to return by Thanksgiving, according to Los Angeles Times reporter Mike Bresnahan.

Bryant has been doing intense conditioning and will have to be worked back in to Lakers practices before he can play again. 

GM Mitch Kupchak said Nov. 10 that the Lakers still do not have an expected return date for Bryant, who just started ramping up his workouts for the past two weeks. From The Los Angeles Times:

"I don't see that in the next week or two because you've got to be on the court. You've got to practice.  You've got to play," Kupchak, speaking at an event for season-ticket holders, said of the team's All-Star guard.

"Clearly we don't know what this team is all about until Kobe gets back, and when he gets back, how is he going to play?" Kupchak said. "I know he's going to come back competitive. I know he's going to be productive. But that's when we're going to find out what kind of team we have."

Bryant hasn't seen any game action since tearing his Achilles heel April 12. There is still no timetable for his return.