NBA superstar continues to sit on the sidelines with latest injury.
Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant has been given more bad news as he continues to comeback from his latest injury.
The guard was meant to be be close to suiting up again and playing, only to be told he will be sidelined for another three weeks.
The 18-year veteran has been out of action since December 17 after fracturing the lateral tibial plateau in the knee, and questions of his return were complicated by swelling and soreness.
If Bryant is cleared to play again in three weeks it will be March 14 which leaves only 17 games in the regular season which could be cut down further is he is not-cleared for full-contact training drills.
Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni was asked if Bryant would return at all this season.
“I don’t know,” D’Antoni said. “That’s out of my hands. We’ll see. I have no answer to that one.”
Bryant, who signed a $48.5 million extension with the Lakers earlier this year, said he cannot get down about the longer recovering he is facing.
“Just try to get better and then go from there,” he said when asked of his hopes for playing.
“I just try to focus, keep my blinders on and just do what I have to do and not worry too much about what’s going on around you, but just stay focused on what my responsibilities are.”
Pau Gasol said if anybody could come back from the latest setback and do well it was Bryant saying the team will not rush him, despite them having one of their worst seasons in years.
“I know it’s tough for him and it’s been a very tough year for him,” Gasol said. “I just hope that he gets healthy. If it takes a little longer, it takes a little longer. If that means he might not play this season, I’m sure he’ll stay positive and look ahead. So, the main thing is he’s got to be healthy.”
He also said that Bryant has done an admirable job of dealing with the injury.
“It’s something new for him but I think so far he’s been handling it well,” Gasol said. “He’s trying to keep himself in shape and work as much as he can so that if he gets the opportunity to get back, to be able to play again.”
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