Kobe Bryant's 19th NBA season may be ending how his 18th ended, with the Los Angeles Lakers superstar, and the league's third all-time leading scorer, on the shelf with an injury.
Doctors are expected to make a firm call on Bryant's status later in the day, but the organization is expecting Bryant to miss the remainder of the season, according to a report from Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.
Bryant and the Lakers may not make an official decision until Monday, according to a report from Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. Wojnarowski reports that Bryant wants to exhaust every possibility before ending his season - that includes researching over the weekend and visiting one more doctor - but an alternate outcome isn't believed to be sensible.
The Lakers released the following statement:
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, who suffered a torn rotator cuff injury during Wednesday night’s game in New Orleans, was examined today in Los Angeles by team physician Dr. Steve Lombardo of the Kerlan Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic. Dr. Lombardo confirmed the diagnosis of a torn rotator cuff and discussed options, including the possibility of surgery, with Bryant. Bryant is scheduled to be examined by Dr. Neal ElAttrache of the Kerlan Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic on Monday, and a decision is expected to be made at that time.
Bryant injured his right shoulder dunking on Wednesday but remained in the game for several minutes before asking out with a minute remaining. Head coach Byron Scott said Friday that Bryant had complained earlier in the year about soreness in the shoulder, and Shelburne reports that it's been an issue since the preseason.
"It felt fine when I went up," Bryant said Wednesday of the injury. "Didn't feel too good when I came down."
An MRI on Thursday revealed a torn rotator cuff, which players can rehab their way through or surgically repair. Should Bryant opt for surgery, the recovery timeline can be upwards of five months, which would rule out a return this season. Considering the Lakers were already being cautious with Bryant's general fatigue and had considered shutting him down later in the season, it seems likely they'll practice caution here.
The question would then become whether Bryant will play next season, when he's under contract for $25 million. He has admitted that he's considered retirement following this season, but whether an injury pushes him toward that end or drives him to come back and end on a more positive note is yet to be seen.
Bryant missing the rest of the season would be unfortunate for basketball fans hoping to see more of Bryant before he calls it a career, but it may be the best thing for the Lakers in the long run. Bryant hasn't been terribly efficient in averaging 22.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists but the team is devoid of talent behind him, and shutting Bryant down could help the Lakers secure a high draft pick, one they only keep if it's in the top five.
The 36-year-old Bryant passed Michael Jordan for third on the NBA's all-time scoring list earlier this season. He also ranks 20th in career games, 10th in minutes played, 12th in 3-pointers, third in free throws, 29th in assists, 14th in steals, fourth in turnovers and, of course, first in field goals missed.
