Kobe Bryant is known for his toughness, and has stubbornly played through all kinds of injuries throughout his career, and especially over the past couple of seasons. A torn wrist ligament couldn’t sideline him earlier this season, and in fact, nothing had -- until Saturday night in Phoenix.
Bryant was a late scratch for his team’s game against the Suns due to a shin injury he originally suffered a week ago against the Hornets. He had been in a walking boot the past couple of days to try to help with the pain, and he managed to play through it as recently as Friday night, when he scored 28 points in 37 minutes in the Lakers loss to the Rockets.
Devin Ebanks got the start in Bryant’s place, a curiuos choice considering he’s played just once in the Lakers last 21 games, logging two minutes back on March 21.
The Lakers next game is in New Orleans on Monday. Bryant will be re-evaluated then, with no timetable set for his return.
