Lakers place Kobe on injured list

01.14.2004

El Segundo, CA (Basketball News) - Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant was placed on the injured list Wednesday and is expected to miss up to three weeks due to a sprained right shoulder.

The results of the MRI were not as bad as initially thought, but Bryant did suffer a sprained acromioclavicular joint of his shoulder.

The good news is that Bryant will not need surgery.

Bryant was injured with only five seconds remaining in the first quarter of Monday night’s game against Cleveland, before returning briefly in the second. He faked Cavaliers swingman Kedrick Brown into the air on a three-point attempt. Brown eventually came down and landed on the All- Star guard’s shoulder.

The 25-year-old Bryant made all three free throws following the collision, but left the game for x-rays in the team locker room. Bryant did return midway through the second quarter, but could not play with the discomfort and finally exited the contest.

Bryant joins a long list of injuries to Laker All-Stars as center Shaquille O’Neal and forward Karl Malone are also both sidelined.

Bryant is averaging 22.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game this season.

LAL

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