PLAYA VISTA — L.A. Clippers coach Doc Rivers was only half-kidding when asked about Kobe Bryant’s impending retirement at the end of this season.

“I’m really happy about it,” said Rivers, whose team will play a back-to-back against the Lakers (16-60) on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at Staples Center.

They will be the final two games the Clippers will play against the Lakers with Bryant on the team.

Will Rivers be sad to see him go?

“Not at all, not at all,” he said. “I’ll be very happy when Kobe retires. He’s inflicted pain on me personally and so I’m looking forward to it. Everybody else is lying. They’re saying, like, they want Kobe to keep playing and that’s not true. The guy, he’s inflicted pain on all of us.”

Rivers paused for a moment.

“On a serious note, it will be different not having him,” he said. “My son Spencer was 1, I think, when he (Bryant) came into the league. He’s still playing. It’s remarkable how long he’s played, how well he’s played and that part you’ll miss seeing. But I won’t actually miss him playing. No, I’m tired of seeing him play. He’s played too well.”

Rivers was head coach of the Boston Celtics for nine years through the 2012-13 season. The Celtics beat the Lakers 4-2 in the 2008 NBA championship series. The Lakers beat the Celtics 4-3 in 2010, and Bryant was the Finals MVP.

Rivers said he only recalls 2008.

“Something happened in 2010, I don’t remember what happened there,” he said with a smile. “I just remember how hard he was every night. I mean, he was just tough, physically. I thought both of those series, the mental part of Kobe is what stood out.

“We knew the talent. But I don’t think you really know a player until you coach him or coach against him in the playoffs, and it told me a lot.”

Clippers point guard Chris Paul is considered one of the league’s most dynamic adversaries. He has that in common with Byrant.

“It’s going to be a competition, first and foremost,” Paul said. “At the end of the day, Kobe’s a competitor and he’s going to come out trying to win the game, as we will.”

Center DeAndre Jordan paid Bryant the highest compliment before practice Monday.

“Kobe’s one of my favorite players,” he said. “It’s going to be fun going against him, against their team, you know, the battles that we’ve had with those guys. It’s going to be fun.

“I’m definitely going to try to take everything in, especially the game on Wednesday, knowing that’ll be the final time I play against one of the NBA’s greatest players. I just try to cherish it.”

The Clippers (48-28) will have a farewell salute to Bryant on Tuesday as that is the Clippers’ home game, a team spokesman said.

Blake Griffin update

Rivers didn’t even wait for the question.

“Blake felt great,” he said. “He feels great now. Next question.”

Blake Griffin played for the first time Sunday after missing 45 games with a partially torn left quad tendon, fractured right hand and subsequent four-game suspension for fracturing the hand punching a team equipment staffer.

Griffin played 24 1/2 minutes. He scored six points on 2-of-7 shooting, grabbed five rebounds and had four assists. But the quad is still partially torn, which means the day after playing is important.

“Yeah, I guess,” Rivers said. “I think it’ll be more after the games coming up. One game, I think we can all get through. It’s the second and third games, I think we’ll know a lot more about where he’s at.”

Injuries

Rivers said Paul Pierce (ankle) is not likely to play Tuesday, but he said Pierce is “feeling better.” Rivers said Jeff Green (cut on left hand) is good to go.