Sport
L.A. Lakers’ Kobe Bryant injured again – suffers torn rotator cuff
Kobe Bryant tore his right rotator cuff in the Los Angeles Lakers’ latest defeat, the club announced Thursday.
Bryant injured his right shoulder in the second half of the Lakers’ loss at New Orleans on Wednesday night when he drove the baseline for a two-handed dunk.
An MRI exam Thursday in San Antonio revealed the tear, and Bryant headed home to Los Angeles while the Lakers prepared to play the Spurs on Friday. The Lakers are expected to release an update on Bryant’s condition Friday.
Lakers coach Byron Scott and the team declined to speculate on the severity of Bryant’s injury, but many rotator cuff injuries require surgery and several months of rehabilitation. Bryant has a high pain threshold and an impressive ability to play through injury, but the Lakers have already been limiting Bryant’s playing time to preserve his health beyond this largely lost season for the 16-time NBA champion club.
Later Thursday, Bryant was voted into a starting spot in the NBA All-Star game, but the 36-year-old guard could miss the February 15 showcase for the second straight year due to injury. Bryant, a 17-time All-Star selection in his 19-year career, was voted a starter last year despite playing just six games before breaking a bone near his left knee and missing the rest of the season.
Bryant has been selected for every All-Star game since missing out his rookie season in 1997. He is a four-time All-Star game MVP and the leading scorer in the event’s history, passing Michael Jordan in 2012.
Bryant briefly returned to the Lakers’ game in New Orleans and played essentially with one arm after the injury, making a 14-foot jumper with his left hand. He is a right-handed shooter.
After the game, Bryant said it felt as if his shoulder “came out of joint a little bit” on the dunk.
