A timetable will be revealed after the procedure…
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has been ruled out for the rest of the season after deciding to undergo shoulder surgery on a torn rotator cuff.
The Lakers revealed that the procedure will take place on Wednesday and that a timetable for his recovery will be announced after the operation.
“Now we know Kobe is probably not going to play [the rest of the season],” Lakers coach Byron Scott said at practice Monday.
It will be the third consecutive year that Bryant has seen his season ended prematurely due to injury, and the 36-year-old will now be focused on making a full recovery before returning for his last year in the league next season.
The five-time champion and former league MVP took the weekend to mull over his options, and he ultimately realised that having surgery was the best decision given that he has just one year left on his contract.
With the Lakers struggling again this season, he will hope that the franchise can make significant moves in free agency this summer as well as acquiring a talent in the Draft in order to continue the rebuilding process ahead of an important year.
However, the injury certainly raises questions about his future and whether or not he will even be able to stay healthy next season.
Bryant suffered his latest injury in last week’s loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, although sources have suggested that he has been dealing with the issue since pre-season.
The veteran guard played in 35 games this season averaging 22.3 points per game which is 3.1 points below his career average. He was also averaging 5.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists but the Lakers have slumped to 12-33 so far this year as he has also struggled with general body soreness.
Bryant had been voted to be a starter in the All-Star game next month, but he will now be replaced despite receiving his 17th all-time selection.
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