Just 11 days after Kobe Bryant made his long-awaited return for the Los Angeles Lakers, the superstar shooting guard is expected to be out for "approximately six weeks" more because of an injury to his left knee, the team announced on Thursday.
The 35-year-old, who spent almost eight months on the sidelines with a torn left Achilles’ tendon before making his season debut on December 8, hyper-extended the joint during Tuesday’s 96-92 win against the Grizzlies in Memphis.
An MRI exam on Thursday revealed Bryant has a fracture at the top of his shinbone near the knee.
He’ll be back in six weeks. We’ve just got to weather the storm until he gets back
“Results of the MRI show that Bryant has a fracture of the lateral tibial plateau of his knee," the Lakers said in a statement. “He is expected to be out approximately six weeks.”
Bryant’s latest injury comes as a major blow for the Lakers, who only last month signed the league veteran to a two-year, $48.5 million contract extension.
After playing six games in 10 days, the fourth-leading scorer in NBA history is out again until February or longer.
“You hate it for Kobe,” Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni said after practice on Thursday. “He’s worked so hard to get back, but he’ll be back. He’ll be back in six weeks. We’ve just got to weather the storm until he gets back.
“We’re going to play hard. We have enough guys and enough talent. We’ll be fine.”