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Bryant Out at Least Two More Weeks With Ankle Injury
Lakers star Kobe Bryant will be sidelined at least two more weeks with a severely sprained right ankle.
Team spokesman John Black said before the Lakers faced the Utah Jazz on Monday night that the NBA's second-leading scorer was examined earlier in the day by team physician Dr. Steve Lombardo and foot specialist Philip Kwong.
A CT scan confirmed there was no fracture.
"Kobe will be re-evaluated in approximately one week," Black said. "He has made improvement. He still can't put weight on his right foot."
Black said there was no target date for Bryant's return.
"We're just saying a minimum of two weeks," Black said. "We'll have a better idea next week."
Should Bryant return in two weeks, he'll miss a minimum of six more games and eight overall.
Bryant, hurt in the first quarter of Thursday night's victory over Cleveland, was placed on the injured list Saturday - before the Lakers beat Golden State.
"We were hoping for far better, but that's the way it is in this league," Lakers coach Rudy Tomjanovich said regarding Bryant's status. "You can always hope. I'm not a medical guy."
Tomjanovich said he spoke with Bryant early Monday.
"He said it was still throbbing," the coach said, adding Bryant seemed to be in good spirits.
When asked what the Lakers do differently without Bryant, Tomjanovich replied: "We just run different plays. There's plays where he's the focal point. Obviously, we're not running a lot of them."
Lamar Odom and Caron Butler have picked up the slack since Bryant was injured.
"It could have been more serious," Butler said. "His spirits are high - it's getting better. We're just praying for him, hope he gets better soon."
Bryant, averaging 27.5 points per game, was injured when he landed on Cleveland forward Ira Newble's right foot while going for a rebound under the Cavaliers' basket.
Rookie Sasah Vujacic started Saturday and Monday in Bryant's guard spot.
Source: AP
Team spokesman John Black said before the Lakers faced the Utah Jazz on Monday night that the NBA's second-leading scorer was examined earlier in the day by team physician Dr. Steve Lombardo and foot specialist Philip Kwong.
A CT scan confirmed there was no fracture.
"Kobe will be re-evaluated in approximately one week," Black said. "He has made improvement. He still can't put weight on his right foot."
Black said there was no target date for Bryant's return.
"We're just saying a minimum of two weeks," Black said. "We'll have a better idea next week."
Should Bryant return in two weeks, he'll miss a minimum of six more games and eight overall.
Bryant, hurt in the first quarter of Thursday night's victory over Cleveland, was placed on the injured list Saturday - before the Lakers beat Golden State.
"We were hoping for far better, but that's the way it is in this league," Lakers coach Rudy Tomjanovich said regarding Bryant's status. "You can always hope. I'm not a medical guy."
Tomjanovich said he spoke with Bryant early Monday.
"He said it was still throbbing," the coach said, adding Bryant seemed to be in good spirits.
When asked what the Lakers do differently without Bryant, Tomjanovich replied: "We just run different plays. There's plays where he's the focal point. Obviously, we're not running a lot of them."
Lamar Odom and Caron Butler have picked up the slack since Bryant was injured.
"It could have been more serious," Butler said. "His spirits are high - it's getting better. We're just praying for him, hope he gets better soon."
Bryant, averaging 27.5 points per game, was injured when he landed on Cleveland forward Ira Newble's right foot while going for a rebound under the Cavaliers' basket.
Rookie Sasah Vujacic started Saturday and Monday in Bryant's guard spot.
Source: AP