Here’s what you need to about the damage, the discussion it stimulated, the record it remembered and the effect it will have on the Lakers’ playoff desires.
The Opposing team declared Wed evening that Kobe bryant experienced a seriously strained remaining rearfoot and, significantly, that an X-ray was adverse.
That much is not yet known. Bryant is officially listed as out “indefinitely,” which at first blush sounds more ominous than “day-to-day.” The severity of an ankle sprain can be difficult to determine until the swelling subsides. A minor sprain does not guarantee that he will miss time; a serious sprain can require weeks to fully heal, even for a professional athlete. (A weary Kobe tweeted Thursday morning about his treatment.)
First, the facts: With the Hawks leading 94-92 with 15 seconds remaining, Bryant worked one-on-one against Dahntay Jones on the right wing. As the clock hit five seconds, Bryant dribbled to the baseline and pulled up for a fadeaway jumper. The shot rimmed off, and Bryant’s left foot landed on Jones’ right foot, as the Hawks’ guard closely contested the potential game-tying shot. Replays showed that Bryant’s ankle roll over, and he initially remained motionless on the court as the clock stopped with 2.6 seconds to play. Athletic trainer Gary Vitti attended to Bryant, who eventually walked off under his own power. Yahoo! Sports reported that Bryant called the injury his “worst sprain since 2000.”
Now, the intrigue.
Bryant said afterward that Jones was guilty of a “dangerous” play by sliding underneath his feet as he executed a shot, a play that is viewed as a basketball cardinal sin because the injury risk is so high. Jones said Bryant suffered the injury by landing awkwardly as a result of his kickout leg motion, and that, if a foul was to be assessed, it should have been whistled on Bryant for causing the contact.
