Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder. A MRI exam revealed the injury.
The injury occurred in the second half of Wednesday night’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Bryant suffered the tear when he drove for a two-handed dunk in the third quarter. As he ran back down the court, he was grabbing his shoulder and checked out of the game shortly after. With five minutes left in the fourth quarter he returned, but he was favoring his shoulder and dribbled and shot with his left hand, according to ESPN. Team doctors will examine Bryant on Friday and an update on his condition will be given then.
It felt fine when I went up, didn't feel too good when I came down," Bryant said. “I’ve played on a torn labrum before. I'm not too concerned about it."
Bryant is the highest-paid player in the NBA this season, making $23.5 million this year. Next year he will make $25 million. In the past month he has sat out eight games to rest. Bryant is averaging 22.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game in 35 games this season, according to the Associated Press. He is shooting 37.3 percent from the field and 29.3 percent from three-point range.
It is expected that the Lakers won’t have Bryant play much as they are trying to preserve him for next season. Next year is the final year of Bryant’s contract and there have been questions on whether he should retire or not. The Lakers are currently 12-31.