Kobe Bryant Injury Update – Playoff Injury
May 12, 2008 by Stephen Kersey
Filed under Injuries, NBA News
Kobe Bryant injured his back in Game 4 against the Utah Jazz but has indicated that he’ll play in Game 5. Bryant was hurt in the first quarter of the game when taking a jump shot.
The back injury obviously limited Bryant in Game 4. The 2008 NBA MVP was 13-for-33 from the floor for the game. In the fourth quarter and overtime, Bryant was 2-for-13. The Los Angeles Lakers ended up losing to the Jazz in overtime and now stand at 2-2 in the best of seven series.
Although Bryant plans to play in Game 5, his effectiveness level won’t be known until after the game is underway. There’s a good chance that he’ll be close to 100% as the Game 4 injury could have just been isolated spasms. If Bryant isn’t 100%, the Lakers could be in jeopardy of losing a vital game in their series.
Injuries have been a season long story for the Lakers. Andrew Bynum is injured and will miss the rest of the playoffs. Trevor Ariza is also battling injury. Derek Fisher and Pau Gasol have been slowed at times due to injury.
Photo: Newscom
