Las Vegas Sun

April 23, 2024

Kobe Bryant to have shoulder surgery, likely out for season

Kobe Bryant

Alex Gallardo / AP

In this Sept. 28, 2013, file photo, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant talks during the NBA team’s media day in El Segundo, Calif.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Kobe Bryant will have surgery Wednesday on his torn right rotator cuff, likely ending his 19th season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The team announced Bryant's surgery Monday. He injured his shoulder last week in New Orleans.

The Lakers say they'll announce a timetable for Bryant's recovery after surgery, but coach Byron Scott says Kobe "is probably not going to play" again this season.

Bryant's torn rotator cuff is likely his third straight season-ending injury. He missed the 2013 playoffs with a torn Achilles tendon, and he played just six games last season before breaking a bone near his left knee.

The third-leading scorer in NBA history sat out eight games in the last month to rest his 36-year-old body, but he injured his shoulder while dunking.

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