Sport
Major setback for the Lakers as Kobe Bryant fractures left knee
Kobe Bryant (r) in action against the Memphis Grizzlies., Dec. 17, 2013. PHOTO/Joe Murphy/Getty Images
(Reuters) – Just 11 days after Kobe Bryant made his long-awaited return for the Los Angeles Lakers, the shooting guard is expected to be out for “approximately 6 weeks” because of a knee injury, the team announced on Thursday.
Bryant, 35, who spent almost 8 months on the sidelines with a torn left Achilles’ tendon before making his comeback on December 8, hyper-extended his left knee during Tuesday’s 96-92 win against the Grizzlies in Memphis.
He had a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam on Thursday and was also examined by a team physician.
“Results of the MRI show that Bryant has a fracture of the lateral tibial plateau of his knee,” the Lakers said in a statement. “He is expected to be out approximately 6 weeks.”
Bryant’s latest injury comes as a major blow for the Lakers, who only last month signed the league veteran to a two-year, US$48.5 million contract extension.
Xavier Henry will take over as starting point guard in Bryant’s absence, the Lakers said.
Bryant, who injured his left knee with 3:25 left in the third quarter of Tuesday’s game against Memphis before returning to the court to finish with a total 21 points, posted a brief comment on Twitter on Thursday.
