What does Kobe Bryan’t 19th NBA season have in common with his 18th?
Ending early with an injury.
According to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, the NBA’s third all-time leading scorer and Lakers superstar will more than likely miss the remainder of the season with a torn rotator cuff injury. Any hope on Bryant making a return this season will depend on doctors taking a closer look at the injury later today.
Bryant’s injury apparently occurred after a dunk Wednesday night during the course of a 96-80 road loss to the Pelicans. Bryant remained in the game until about a minute remaining when he asked to be taken out. Lakers head coach Byron Scott said Bryant complained about shoulder soreness earlier in the year while Shelburne further reported that it’s been an issue for Bryant since the preseason.
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports made mention that Bryant and the Lakers could wait until Monday to make a decision on how to treat the injury.
Kobe Bryant and Lakers will likely wait until Monday to make a decision on treatment for his torn rotator cuff, league sources tell Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 23, 2015
At this point it would seem that the 36-year old Bryant has two options. Rehab through the injury or have it surgically repaired which would mean around a five-month recovery period. After that you would have to wonder whether or not Bryant would return next season or opt for retirement, something he says he’s considered this season.
Bryant is scheduled to make $25M with the Lakers next season.
