Kobe Bryant Injured in Exhibition

Lakers Kobe Bryant sustained a hyperextended right knee after banging knees with Lakers forward Josh Powell in the second quarter of last night’s exhibition game in San Diego. Although the Lakers triumphed 102-98 over the Charlotte Bobcats, Bryant was injured while going for a rebound off Sun Yue’s missed shot from the wing and was listed as day-to-day. A timeout was called with 3:08 left in the second quarter after Bryant signaled to the bench that he was injured. Bryant was able to walk over the to bench to rest before heading to the locker room with trainer Gary Vitti.

Bryant, who will be re-evaluated today, did not return for the second half of the game although the injury is not considered serious and he will not undergo an MRI unless he is still experiencing pain. In a brief interview with the L.A. Times, Bryant offered a few words: “We’ll see how it feels [today].  It’s sore.” Bryant has never experienced a hyperextended knee before and told teammates he was relieved that the injury wasn’t serious. Veteran Derek Fisher said he expected Bryant to play in Tuesday’s season opener against Portland although Bryant may sit out the Lakers’ rematch against Charlotte Thursday in Anaheim. The preseason concludes Friday in Ontario when the Lakers face off against Oklahoma City.

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