Just when it seemed like nothing could stop Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers guard went down with what the team is calling a probable torn Achilles’ tendon.
Bryant went down with an injury three times during the Lakers’ 118-106 win over the Golden State Warriors on Friday. The first time he seemed to hurt his knee going to the hole in traffic. The second time he seemed to hurt his foot. And the third time his foot just gave out on him as he was trying to make a move from the perimeter with 3:08 left in the game.
Kobe stayed in the game to make two free throws. The Lakers fouled immediately after the Warriors took out the ball so Bryant could be subbed out. Metta World Peace took his spot, and Bryant slowly made his way to the tunnel.
The Lakers announced after the game that Bryant likely has a torn Achilles’ tendon. He will have an MRI on Saturday.
Bryant had just hit back-to-back 3-pointers to tie the game before getting hurt. He finished with 34 points on 9-of-21 shooting in the win.
Bryant’s eyes were red and he had tears in his eyes as he spoke to the media after the game.
“I was really tired man, just tired,” he said. “Upset and dejected and thinking about this mountain to overcome. This is a long process. Wasn’t sure I could do it. Then the kids walk in, you’re like, ‘I gotta set an example.’ Daddy’s going to be fine. Work hard and just go from here.
Bryant vowed to return and prove any doubters wrong.
“It’s fueling me, it’s fueling me. I can feel it already. I can feel it already,” Bryant said of the doubters. “Players at this stage of their career, they pop an Achilles, the pundits say they never come back the same. So I can hear it already and it’s pissing me off right now just thinking about it.”
The Lakers are a game up on the Utah Jazz for the final spot in the playoffs. Utah is at Minnesota Monday and at Memphis on Wednesday. The Lakers host San Antonio Sunday and Houston on Wednesday to end the season.
Below is a slow-motion GIF of the injury:
The well wishes for Kobe came pouring in instantly.
Damn man i feel bad for @kobebryant . If there’s anybody and i mean anybody who can come back from that injury it would be him! Best wishes!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 13, 2013
Damn man, never want to see that happen…ever. But @kobebryant is a strong dude, wishing you a speedy and healthy recovery brother!
— DeAndre Jordan (@deandrejordan) April 13, 2013
Prayers out to my man @kobebryant. Hoping for a speedy recovery and there is absolutely no doubt he’ll be back strong!
— Chris Paul (@CP3) April 13, 2013
Just watched @kobebryant press conference & I could feel the pain in his voice & know the feeling of pain in his heart
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 13, 2013
Thoughts & prayers go out to the big homey #Kobe.. Shame they ran him into the ground.. #Damn
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) April 13, 2013
Video via @cjzero
