Bryant will have an MRI on Saturday to determine the exact nature of the injury.
Bryant reacted with disappointement on social media. On his Facebook page he posted a lengthy update:
“This is such BS! All the training and sacrifice just flew out the window with one step that I’ve done millions of times! The frustration is unbearable. The anger is rage. Why the hell did this happen ?!? Makes no damn sense. Now I’m supposed to come back from this and be the same player Or better at 35?!? How in the world am I supposed to do that??
“I have NO CLUE. Do I have the consistent will to overcome this thing? Maybe I should break out the rocking chair and reminisce on the career that was. Maybe this is how my book ends. Maybe Father Time has defeated me.”
Later he added that called the injury the first step in a new challenge.
“One day, the beginning of a new career journey will commence. Today is NOT that day,” he wrote.
The post received more than 136,000 likes.
If the injury turns out to be a ruptured Achilles, it could have long-term effects for Bryant and the Lakers. That injury could take up to a year to heal, according to Will Carroll, sports injuries lead writer for Bleacher Report. Bryant has previously said that next season could be his last in the NBA. This is the 16th season in the league for the 34-year-old.
According to a tweet from the Lakers, Bryant could tell what the injury was before seeing a doctor.
“I was just hoping it wasn’t what I thought it was,” Bryant said, according to the tweet.
The Lakers have two games left in the regular season, both at home. They face the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday and the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.
The team, after beating the Golden State Warriors 118-116 last night, is one game ahead of the Utah Jazz for the final spot in the NBA’s Western Conference playoffs.
