Kobe Bryant has opted to have surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder that is expected to sideline him for the rest of the season.
DPA/Los Angeles
Los Angeles Lakers star guard Kobe Bryant Monday, opted to have surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder that is expected to sideline him for the rest of the season, the club announced.
Surgery is set for Wednesday, and a firm timetable will not be provided until after the procedure.
Bryant made his decision after meeting on Monday with sports-medicine specialist, Dr Neal ElAtrache of the Kerlan Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, who advised the surgery.
On Friday, Bryant visited with team doctor Steve Lombardo who confirmed the earlier torn rotator cuff diagnosis. The Lakers star weighed his options over the weekend.
Bryant’s last three seasons have been cut short by injuries.
The banged up 36-year-old tore an Achilles tendon in April 2013. He then fractured his left knee last season before suffering the most-recent shoulder tear Wednesday following a dunk against New Orleans.
Voted a Western Conference All Star starter last Thursday for a record 17th consecutive year, Bryant finished his 19th campaign averaging 22.3 points on a career-low 37.3% shooting in 35 games.
Bryant has financial incentives to return. He earned 23.5mn dollars this season, and the future Hall of Famer has one more year left on his contract with the Lakers for 25mn dollars for the 2015-16 campaign.
Meanwhile, Charlotte Hornets star guard Kemba Walker is to have surgery in New York to repair a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee, the club announced Tuesday.
A timetable for his recovery will be determined following the procedure for the Hornets’ top scorer, who has missed three of the last five games with a cyst on the knee.
In his fourth NBA season, Walker is averaging 18.8 points, 5.2 assists and 3.8 rebounds.