Fans in Oakland, California may no longer again see Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant play in the city, since the retiring veteran is uncertain versus the Golden State Warriors for today's game.
The Lakers will head to the Oracle Arena today, Thursday, to take on the defending champions Warriors to begin a two-game Western Conference road trip.
But that road game might not feature Bryant who, in their 95–91 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans last Tuesday, suffered a sore right Achilles, according to ESPN.
Bryant is not new to Achilles injuries since in 2013, he was sidelined for a great amount of time because of a ruptured left Achilles.
Lakers head coach Byron Scott said, according to ESPN's report, that he is unaware of the extent of the 37-year-old franchise star's recent injury and is also not sure if he will play against Golden State.
This is a disappointing setback for Bryant as he is also dealing with a shoulder injury, the same shoulder that underwent surgery for a torn rotator cuff and ended his 2014–15 season abruptly.
In the game versus New Orleans, Bryant started but the injury limited him to only 16 minutes, scoring just seven points in three-of-nine shooting from the field (zero-of-five from the three-point area).
Despite Bryant leaving, the Lakers managed to beat the Pelicans and end a four-game losing streak.
Reigning Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams led the charge for Los Angeles, with 19 points, four rebounds, eight assists, and one block.
Following him was fellow guard Jordan Clarkson who had 18 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
The Lakers are playing better this 2016 and despite the losing slump, are 3–4 in their first seven games of the year.
Two of those four losses were also closely contested games, including a 117–113 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder, a game in which the Lakers played well and had a chance to steal the win.
Still, the Lakers are the worst team in the Western Conference standings with a 9–31 record.
