The NBA denied a request by the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, insisting that Kobe Bryant participate in this Sunday night's All-Star Game in New Orleans, according to the Los Angeles Times.

If a player plays in his team's final game before the All-Star break he must play in the game, per NBA policy.

"It doesn't seem to me to make sense," Lakers' General Manager Mitch Kupchak told the Times. "I understand it's the biggest showcase of the year for the NBA and that's all of us."

"But from a general manager's point of view, looking out for the interests of our club, to me it doesn't make sense," Kupchak added.

"The doctor examining [Bryant] said, 'If you're not going to have surgery, give it time to heal.'"