Kobe Bryant misses Wednesday’s practice-Ankle injury takes its toll
The Black Mamba is injured: Kobe Bryant, the leading scorer for the Los Angeles Lakers, missed Wednesday’s practice to rest his ankle injury that he received in Saturday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks. The 32-year-old suffered from a rolled ankle in
the third quarter of the game as Shawn Marion blocked his jumper. The player scored 16 points in Lakers’ big win to help it hold 2nd spot in the playoffs.
Bryant feared that his injury could be so severe that he would have to rest the remaining season. He was quoted as saying after the game, "I thought I was done, like done. I was praying that when I stood up, my foot was lined up straight. I thought I dislocated
it."
Bryant missed Wednesday’s practice to rest the ankle and has been receiving treatment over the sprain. The player did not miss Monday’s game against the Orlando Magic and notched some vital shots before resting in the fourth quarter. The sprained ankle did
take its toll on the player and he was confined to just 16 points in the victory.
On Wednesday, the Lakers stepped into the gymnasium with a heavy heart as they had to practice without Bryant. It was difficult to have a Bryant-less practice and Pau Gasol was of the same view when he said that it was hard to practice without Bryant. The
player is expected to join teammates at practice on Thursday before they meet the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center on Friday.
Lakers coach Phil Jackson commenting on the player’s condition said: "It's still an ankle that was badly sprained. He's got to be doing therapy a lot. Today, he stayed off it. Tomorrow he may come out on the court."
In the two games after the injury, the player has just averaged 16 points with a 13 for 39 shooting from the field. His season average is 24.8 points per game; the injury has not only slowed the player down but has also defected his scoring by as much as
8.8 points.
Bryant has not missed a single game this season and has played a vital role in keeping his team pacing up throughout the games they have played.
The Lakers, who have maintained a 10-1 record since the All-Star break, have to make sure that Bryant rests a few games before the playoffs start in a few weeks. Perhaps Friday’s game will be the best opportunity for Bryant to take some days off the loaded
schedule will see the Lakers take on Portland and the Phoenix Suns.
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