Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) drives against New Orleans Pelicans guard Nate Wolters, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman)
SAN ANTONIO — In a season where he has already felt the strain of Father Time in his play, energy level and minute restrictions, Kobe Bryant just experienced another devastating punch.
An MRI on Bryant’s right shoulder revealed he has a torn rotator cuff. This injury will sideline him at least for when the Lakers (12-31) visit the San Antonio Spurs (27-16) on Friday at AT&T Center. But possibly more. Bryant will return to Los Angeles later on Thursday and meet with team doctors for further evaluation on Friday.
Bryant did not attend the Lakers’ practice at AT&T Center on Thursday and was not available to reporters. But following the Lakers’ 96-80 loss on Wednesday to the New Orleans Pelicans, Bryant downplayed his shoulder injury that happened after throwing down a baseline dunk in the third quarter over New Orlean’s Dante Cunningham.
“I felt fine when I went up, didn’t feel too good when I came down,” Bryant said at the time. He added the shoulder “came out a little bit,” but dismissed the pain as only “a little achy.”
Bryant noted he had played through torn labrums earlier in his 19-year NBA career, not to mention various other injuries. Although Bryant admitted uncertainty on his playing status, he expressed optimism he would not stay sidelined long. Despite Scott’s recent quest to rest him in eight of the past 16 games at no more than 32 minutes, Bryant maintained he felt healthy enough to play in every contest.
So much that Bryant told Lakers trainer Gary Vitti and Lakers coach Byron Scott that his shoulder felt strong after spending time on the bench icing it. But once Bryant entered the game with five minutes left in the fourth quarter, he appeared noticeably limited. Bryant dribbled and passed mostly using his left hand. He also airballed a left-handed hook shot.
The Lakers will likely start Wayne Ellington in place of Bryant. Ellington has averaged 10.4 points on 41.2 percent shooting in nine games he has started, eight of which happened because Bryant was resting.
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