Lakers vs Wizards: Kobe Bryant Returns Friday with Pau Gasol; TV Schedule, Live Stream and Score

Lakers Nation can rejoice as two of their most valuable and beloved stars return Friday as the Lakers keep pushing towards making the NBA playoffs.

Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol are both expected to be in the starting lineup Friday with the Lakers scheduled to be playing the Washington Wizards. The Lakers confirmed Bryant's playing status on their official Twitter account Friday.

Bryant has been on the sidelines dealing with an ankle injury that he suffered in a game against Atlanta last week. Gasol has been out even longer than that, missing the last 20 games with a right foot injury. In total, Gasol has missed 33 games this season thanks to knee tendinitis and a concussion.

Bryant's return, however, is perhaps the most crucial to the Lakers' success as they attempt to hold on to the eight seed in the Western Conference playoff picture, holding a 2 ½ game lead over the Utah Jazz. Bryant was scoring 26.0 points in his last eight games before the injury against Atlanta last week and was unquestionably the Lakers' hottest scorer.

On Friday after the shootaround, Bryant tweeted to his followers that he was ready to go Friday.

"Ankle was a lil sore from practice yesterday but should be good to go tonight #mambaface" he tweeted.

The addition of Bryant and Gasol back into the Lakers starting lineup will mean the Lakers' starting five of Bryant, Gasol, Dwight Howard, Steve Nash and Metta World Peace will be together as one for the first time in quite some time, with most of them having been hurt at one time or another during what has been a trying season for the Lakers.

TV Schedule, Live Score

Game Time will start at 10:30 p.m. EST on Comcast SportsNet and Time Warner Cable Sportsnet. Live score of the game can be seen at Live score is available via TV Companion, here.

Live Stream

For live stream action of the game, go to NBA League Pass.