The Los Angeles Lakers are fighting for their playoff lives. Currently on the outside looking in, every game holds that much more significance for the Lakers as they need all the wins they can get.
Their playoff chances appeared bleak early in the first quarter when Kobe Bryant left the game with an apparent right elbow injury. Although it required Kobe going to the locker room, he returned to pour in 30 points in a 122-105 lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Afterwards, Kevin Durant made it clear that the Lakers are going to get no sympathy from him.
Per ESPN: “Kobe didn’t look, hurt to me,” Durant said. “We’re not going to feel sorry for them. If they’re out there playing, then they can play. Kobe looked fine. Dwight (Howard) looked fine.
“We know they’re a resilient team. They’ve been fighting hard all year. They made some shots in that second half.”
Strong words from Durant, as this is a potential first round playoff match-up if the Lakers are able to sneak into the playoffs.
We’ll have to see how the elbow injury hampers Kobe going forward, but as long as he can move we can safely assume Kobe will play.