Lakers: Kobe Bryant has torn rotator cuff, hurt on dunk

Kobe Bryant tore his right rotator cuff in the Los Angeles Lakers’ latest defeat, the club announced Thursday. Bryant injured his right shoulder in the second half of the Lakers’ loss at New Orleans on Wednesday during a two-handed dunk. After the game, Bryant said it felt as if his shoulder “came out of joint a little bit” on the dunk. “I felt fine when I went up, and didn’t feel too good when I came down,” he said. An MRI exam Thursday in San Antonio – where the Lakers play today – revealed the tear, and Bryant headed home to Los Angeles. The Lakers are expected to release an update on Bryant’s condition today. Lakers coach Byron Scott and the team declined to speculate on the severity of Bryant’s injury, but many rotator cuff injuries require surgery and several months of rehabilitation. – AP