Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is expected to miss the rest of the season with a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.
Final word from the doctor today is still to come, but I'm told the Lakers are expecting Kobe to miss the rest of this season.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) January 23, 2015 This process will takea few days to play out. Still considering all options before making final plan. Kobe still has more Dr. appointments
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) January 23, 2015 No decision has been made as of Friday afternoon.
Kobe has a "significant" tear in his rotator cuff. Surgery recommended but he wants to research & think this weekend before final decision.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) January 23, 2015
Kobe has at least one more doctor's appointment & he's the type to exhaust all options. But team was told today to expect to be w/out him
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) January 23, 2015
Friday's report comes just a day after an MRI revealed the injury and two days after Bryant injured his shoulder on dunk against the Pelicans. Bryant showed visible pain after the play, grabbing his shoulder and playing the remainder of the game with his left hand.
Lakers head coach Byron Scott took the blame for Bryant's injury, even apologizing to the star guard.
"I'm worried. The whole organization is worried," Scott said, according to ESPN's Baxter Holmes. "Knowing him the way I know him, I know he doesn't want to go out this way."
Bryant was in good spirits Friday, tweeting "this is what happens when I pass too much!"
This is Bryant's third major injury in two years. Previously, he tore his Achilles and broke a bone in his left leg.
