The Los Angeles Lakers came out on top Friday night against the Golden State Warriors 118-116, but the victory came with a much more significant loss; Kobe Bryant suffered a torn Achilles tendon and is likely done for the rest of the year.
Bryant planted his left leg to drive past Warriors forward Harrison Barnes, when he crumpled to the floor in pain. After the game Bryant said, "I can't walk. I tried to maybe put pressure on my heel, but there was nothing there. "We worked so hard to put ourselves in position and control our fate. I certainly have done a lot of work to prepare myself. It's just bad luck."
Bryant scored a team-high 34 points before sustaining his injury and while also dealing with a hyperextended knee he suffered during the game as well. He played 45 minutes following a Lakers win over the Portland Trailblazers in which he played all 48 minutes.
The injury could be a career-ender at Bryant's age (34) and with the amount of time he has already been in the league (16 years). Bryant, of course, scoffed at that notion to reporters saying, "I know I can do this. It's fueling me. It's fueling me. I can feel it already."
Bryant's teammate Pau Gasol, said, "He's the greatest competitor, and he's been that all season long, all through his career. He's been an example for us throughout all this. He showed character. He showed heart, and that's what we're going to need from now on."
In the game itself, the Lakers survived a 47-point outburst from Stephen Curry, and got major contributions from the frontcourt. Dwight Howard scored 28 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while hitting 14 of his 22 free throws, which is well above his 58 percent season rate.
Gasol posted a triple-double, scoring 26 points and recording 11 rebounds and 10 assists. If Bryant's season is over, the Lakers will need that production from Howard and Gasol to make the playoffs, and then to compete with either the Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs.
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