The Los Angeles Lakers are not faring well this 2015 preseason and in Tuesday's 107–100 loss to the Sacramento Kings, star shooting guard Kobe Bryant left in the third quarter with a leg contusion and was unable to return.
Bryant was driving to the basket when his left leg hit Kings center Kosta Koufos knee with over nine minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Following the contact, Bryant walked gingerly towards the sideline and ESPN reported that he was checked by the team's medical staff before heading to the locker room.
The 37-year-old basketball star scored 10 points and had one rebound in 18 minutes of action before exiting the game.
Reports said Bryant left the arena early and did not even have the chance to address the media to visit former teammate LaMar Odom, who is in the hospital battling for his life.
Despite the injury, Lakers head coach Byron Scott is positive that Bryant will be playing in their next preseason game this Saturday against the defending champions Golden State Warriors.
"You guys know him. He's about as tough as they come. So I think he'll be fine for Saturday," Scott said regarding the five-time champion's status versus the Warriors, according to ESPN.
The injury was a scare for the Lakers since Bryant has been limited to only 41 games in the past two seasons due to injuries, and the team is hoping such will not be happening again this year.
Los Angeles is currently 1–4 in the 2015 preseason after losses to the Utah Jazz, Toronto Raptors, and the Sacramento Kings, with the lone win being against Israeli club Maccabi Haifa.
Including their game against the Warriors, the Lakers still have three more preseason games before opening the 2015–16 regular season.
The Lakers will start a new campaign on Oct. 28 at home taking on the Minnesota Timberwolves.
