Kobe Bryant's reputation as a guy who will try to play through anything
added another chapter Wednesday night with Bryant taking the court in a
mask a day after being diagnosed with a concussion.
Bryant's nose
was broken by a foul from Dwyane Wade in the All-Star Game on Sunday in
Orlando. Bryant was sent to an ear, nose and throat doctor Tuesday in
Los Angeles and showed enough symptoms to be sent to see a neurologist,
who diagnosed a concussion.
Bryant, however, improved
dramatically by Wednesday, according to neurologist Vern Williams.
Bryant then passed a series of tests Wednesday to show he was free of
concussion-related symptoms and he was cleared to play against
Minnesota, which wound up missing its star when Kevin Love didn't play
because of flu-like symptoms.
The Lakers beat Minnesota 104-85
behind Bryant's 31 points and eight assists. Williams said most of
Bryant's problems were related to a neck injury from the foul, not
necessarily the concussion, and Bryant agreed in citing "constant
throbbing at the base of my head."
Bryant will try to follow up his masked debut with another sharp game Friday night against visiting Sacramento.
NOTES, QUOTES
--The Lakers have beaten the Minnesota Timberwolves the past 17 times
they've played. That makes the Lakers' dominance against the Sacramento
Kings seem like nothing. The Lakers, who face the Kings on Friday night,
have won eight of the past 10 meetings with Sacramento.
--Kobe
Bryant, who scored 81 points in one game, reiterated his belief someone
will score 100 in a game, saying: "It probably won't happen in our
generation or the next, but it will happen." The 50th anniversary of
Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game is coming up Friday.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Don't jinx me, man." -- Kobe Bryant, when asked if there's anything he won't play through.
ROSTER REPORT
PLAYER NOTES:
--F Metta World Peace recorded his 1,500th career steal in the Lakers'
last pre-All-Star game. World Peace is fifth on the active NBA list in
steals, trailing Jason Kidd (2,519 steals), Kobe Bryant (1,698), Kevin
Garnett (1,630) and Shawn Marion (1,534). World Peace is 37th on the
NBA's all-time career steals list.
--G Kobe Bryant's fast-break
dunk with 4:57 left in the third quarter of the All-Star Game moved him
past Michael Jordan (262 points) for most career points in All-Star
history. Bryant finished with 27 points to help the Western Conference
win and now has 271 career All-Star points. He is a 14-time All-Star.
--C Andrew Bynum reported no ill effects from the injection of Synvisc
and cortisone into his right knee Friday. Bynum planned the injection
all along and got it even though he said he had some swelling and pain
after banging the knee Thursday in Oklahoma City. He had 13 points, 13
rebounds and three blocks Wednesday against Minnesota.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--G Kobe Bryant (concussion, broken nose) is playing through the injury.
--G Steve Blake (costachaondral fracture) is playing through the injury.
ROTATION:
Starters:
--Point guard Derek Fisher
--Shooting guard Kobe Bryant
--Small forward Metta World Peace
--Power forward Pau Gasol
--Center Andrew Bynum
Bench:
--Guard Steve Blake
--Forward Matt Barnes
--Guard Andrew Goudelock
--Forward Troy Murphy
