Kobe Bryant likely won't play against the Mavs. (Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant is just now beginning running in his return from a painful shin injury, and will miss significantly more time. He will not, however, miss the rest of the regular season in all likelihood according to the Los Angeles Times: 

Bryant will now begin running again, and if that is pain-free, can begin drills that involve jumping. If there is no discomfort at that point, he will be cleared to play.

There's a chance he will miss the rest of the regular season, though it is considered a longshot.

Bryant sitting out 10 consecutive games to end the regular season?

"I don't think so," Brown said before the game. "We knew it was going to be a process. We knew it was an injury where we didn't want to rush him back. But he is making progress."

via Lakers turn to B-team to beat Nuggets, clinch playoff berth - latimes.com.

The Lakers are 3-1 without Bryant in the past week, a Metta World Peace, Matt Barnes, and Andrew Bynum have helped shepherd the Lakers through a rough patch in the schedule. As for Sunday's game against the Mavericks, ESPN LA says Bryant did not practice and is "most likely out" for the Lakers' latest match with the team that eliminated them last spring in a sweep. 

...Bryant did not participate in Saturday's shootaround at the team's practice facility in El Segundo, and according to head coach Mike Brown is "most likely to be out" of the lineup for Los Angeles as he continues recovering from tenosynovitis, or inflammation, in his left shin.

"He's getting better," Brown said, "but right now it's definitely not something we're going to rush."

via Kobe Bryant of Los Angeles Lakers 'most likely' out for Sunday vs. Dallas Mavericks - ESPN Los Angeles.

The time off for Bryant's body beyond the shin could be good for him overall, as Bryant has logged the most minutes per game in the NBA this season, a crazy feat at his age and usage. With the Lakers having nearly cemented the third seed in the West, there's no rush in getting the Mamba a little extra breathing room while a painful injury heals.

After all, the important thing is that he can strike in two weeks.