UPDATE: Byron Scott says Bryant’s injury is no reason for concern.
Byron says Kobe's knee is fine and he thinks he will play Saturday
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) October 14, 2015
PREVIOUSLY: Kobe Bryant left the Los Angeles Lakers’ exhibition game against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night with a left leg injury.
While driving baseline from the block in the third quarter, the future Hall-of-Famer lost his balance after getting his right foot tangled with Rajon Rondo’s and promptly headed to the bench. After a brief conversation with team medical personnel, he jogged back to the Lakers’ locker room.
The team told beat reporter Mike Trudell shortly after the incident that though Bryant’s injury was of the minor variety, he would not return to the action.
Lakers are calling it a left lower leg contusion for Kobe Bryant. He will not return tonight.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) October 14, 2015
Didn’t look bad. He tried to walk it off at first. Opted to head to the locker room to get it worked on. We’ll see. https://t.co/TUSaN0yH7S
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) October 14, 2015
There’s no reason to believe this is the latest in a long string of injuries that will sideline one of the game’s greatest players for a significant duration yet again, but it certainly bears mentioning that Bryant fractured his left kneecap less than two years ago. This was a setback that, combined with his summer recovery from a torn achilles, limited his 2013-14 season to just six games.
Considering that prior injury, could Tuesday night’s bruise affect him for longer than it would players with a less checkered history of health? It’s definitely plausible, but at the very least, this likely non-event serves as a necessary reminder of just how tenuous Bryant’s grip on the game is in 2015-16.
Rest up, Kobe. We can’t wait to watch you for what could be a final regular season beginning later this month.
