Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant suffered a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder during Wednesday night's game against the New Orleans Pelicans, ESPN reports. An MRI earlier today revealed the extent of the injury.
The team announced that Bryant will head back to L.A. to be examined by Lakers physicians on Friday. After a thorough examination, the Lakers will provide an update on Bryant's status.
"It felt fine when I went up, didn't feel to good when I came down," Bryant said after the game.
Bryant was visibly in pain after the play and checked out of the game shortly after. He then came back into the game with five minutes left in the fourth quarter. It was clear that he was favoring his shoulder and played primarily with his left hand.
"Obviously after I saw that everything he did was with the left hand, I knew then, let's get him out of there," Lakers coach Byron Scott said after the game.
It is not known at this time what this means for the remainder of Bryant's season. San Antonio Spur guard Patty Mills underwent surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in July and did not make his regular season debut until December 28. It's possible that Bryant, 36, may be sidelined for the remainder of the season. To his credit, Bryant stayed vigilant in the face of this injury.
"I've played on a torn labrum before. I'm not too concerned about it," Bryant said.
