Kobe Bryant has torn rotator cuff in right shoulder
An MRI exam revealed that Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder, the team announced Thursday.
Bryant injured his shoulder during the Lakers’ 96-80 road loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night. He left the game with a sore right shoulder in the third quarter. He returned in the fourth and shot twice left-handed but was unable to finish the contest.
Bryant left for Los Angeles on Thursday for further evaluation with team doctors.
Bryant has averaged 22.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists this season in 35 games for the Lakers. The 19-year NBA veteran only played in six games last season due to knee and Achilles’ tendon injuries. He is expected to be voted in as a Western Conference All-Star starter Thursday, but would have to be replaced if he’s out with the injury.
Spurs guard Patty Mills underwent surgery for a torn rotator cuff in July 2014 and returned to play for the team in December.
