Kobe Bryant injury blow for Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers veteran Kobe Bryant has underwent an operation on his right shoulder and will be out of action for the rest of this season, according to a statement released on Thursday.

According to the statement made by the Los Angeles Lakers, 36-year-old Bryant suffered from a muscle tear in his right shoulder during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Jan. 22 and subsequently underwent surgery. One of the surgeons who carried out the operation, Neal El-Attrache, stated that the U.S. shooting guard will be able to play next season if everything goes well during the rehabilitation period.

This is Kobe Bryant’s third injury over the last three seasons. The Lakers star was out for eight months in April 2013 due to an Achilles tendon injury in his left foot. In December 2013, Bryant was sidelined for the rest of the season owing to a fractured tibia in his left leg.

The Los Angeles Lakers are having a poor season, having only won 12 out of 46 matches this season and are in 14th place in the Western Conference standings.

Anadolu Agency