Posted By: Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has a torn wrist ligament and will not play in Wednesday night’s preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Lakers have listed Bryant’s status as day to day.
“Just from what our trainer [Gary Vitti] tells us, I’m going to hold him out tonight,” said coach Mike Brown after the team’s shootaround.
Bryant suffered the right wrist injury in the Lakers’ 114-95 loss to the Clippers on Monday when he fell to the floor in the third quarter after having his shot attempt blocked by DeAndre Jordan.
Bryant was examined by Dr. Steven Shin of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic and underwent an MRI exam on Wednesday. Results show that Bryant has a torn lunotriquetral ligament.
The Lakers opening game is just four days away against the Chicago Bulls on Christmas Day.
“I can’t speak to Sunday,” Brown said. “He may practice [Thursday], he may not. I’ll have a better feel soon.”
The injury news comes as a blow considering that Bryant, 33, had reported being in top physical condition throughout training camp.
Bryant underwent an innovative procedure on his bothersome right knee during the offseason. He said his knee, which held him out of most practices last season, had improved. Bryant was also going without a wrap on his arthritic right index finger during training camp, suggesting his finger had improved during the offseason as well.
“Obviously I feel a lot stronger and a lot quicker being able to get to the basket and get to the free throw line which will be a huge plus for us,” Bryant said after Monday’s game.
WRITTEN BY Dave McMenamin covers the Lakers for ESPNLosAngeles.com & FULL STORY HERE
Follow Dave McMenamin on Twitter:Â @mcten
