Bryant sustained the injury during the second half of a 96-80 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night in New Orleans. Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a torn rotator cuff, ESPN.com reported Friday.
Bryant sustained the injury during the second half of a 96-80 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night in New Orleans. Sources told ESPN that he has been dealing with this shoulder injury since the preseason.
The Lakers announced Thursday that the findings were the result of a preliminary MRI taken in San Antonio. Bryant was to return to Los Angeles to undergo further examination by team doctors on Friday.
Bryant apparently aggravated the injury with 4:14 left in the third quarter against the Pelicans when he drove baseline for a two-handed dunk. Bryant said it felt as if his shoulder “came out of joint a little bit” on the dunk.
“It felt fine when I went up, didn’t feel too good when I came down,” Bryant said.
The 36-year-old Bryant has played in 35 games this season since returning from an Achilles injury that sidelined him last year. He is averaging 22.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists for the struggling Lakers, who are in last place in the Pacific Division with a 12-31 record after losing six straight games.
Bryant tweeted Friday about the injury: “This is what happens when I pass too much! #ShoulderShock thank u all for ur thoughts and prayers.”
