Kobe Bryant is going to scale back his practice workload.

Bryant pledged he would be returning to the practice court after the Lakers were manhandled by the Heat on Christmas Day.

He had cut his practice time down significantly this season in "early-to-mid November," according to a team source, to save wear and tear on his surgically repaired right knee.

Bryant began the week with a full practice Monday, but hasn't practiced with his teammates since.

"I'll refrain from saying something really smart-ass," Bryant said when asked about his practice time.