Bryant puts off surgery

Kobe Bryant was diagnosed with a torn ligament in his right pinkie finger Thursday and the Los Angeles Lakers All-Star has decided not to undergo surgery that could sideline him for six weeks.

The damage occurred when Bryant dislocated the finger at New Jersey on Feb. 5, and was aggravated in Wednesday night’s game at Minnesota.

The team said that the damage was more extensive than first believed.

There is a complete tear of the radial collateral ligament and avulsion fracture, in which a small bone fragment had been pulled off by a tendon.

Bryant was examined in Los Angeles by Dr. Steven Shin, a hand specialist who recommended surgery to repair the ligament.

It was unclear if Bryant will play in Sunday’s All-Game at New Orleans. But he will skip the 3-point shooting contest, with Dirk Nowitzki of Dallas replacing him.

On the courts

Kirk Hinrich scored 24 points to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 99-92 victory over Miami on Thursday night at Miami and send the Heat to their 24th loss in 25 games, despite solid outings by Dwyane Wade and Shawn Marion.

Suns 109, Mavericks 97: At Phoenix, Steve Nash had 24 points and 13 assists and the Suns pulled away in the final quarter to beat weary and short-handed Dallas.