Lakers release statement on Kobe Bryant injury

Kobe against the Pelicans, where he tore his rotator cuff.

The Lakers released a statement on Monday (early Tuesday morning in Manila) regarding Kobe Bryant and his rotator cuff injury:

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, who injured his right shoulder in last Wednesday night’s game against the Pelicans in New Orleans, was examined this morning by Dr. Neal ElAttrache of the Kerlan Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic. Dr. ElAttrache confirmed an earlier diagnosis of a torn rotator cuff, and advised Bryant to have surgery to repair the shoulder. Bryant has agreed, and surgery has been scheduled for Wednesday morning. A timeline estimate for Bryant’s return will be issued following the surgery.

A couple of days earlier, Kobe, in his capacity as Editorial Director at The Players Tribune, posted this video illustrating his meeting with team physician Dr. Steve Lombardo.



It is most likely that the soon-to-be Hall of Famer will be out for the remainder of the season.

Latest on Jayson Castro

The long-awaited update from Vitoria made it to Manila, via Instagram. Assistant coach Josh Reyes provided the update.


The caption reads:

For all those who are asking. MRI revealed no structural damage. Whew! Still swelling in his Achilles, though. Jayson's status is day-to-day. Paul lee is the same status. #parasabayan #gilaspilipinas #prayforgoodhealth

Less than ten days left before the FIBA World Cup begins for the Philippines in Seville.

Kobe Bryant will not play for the rest of the 2013-14 season

After examinations by Los Angeles Lakers team physician Dr. Steve Lombardo, it has been determined that Kobe Bryant's fractured lateral tibial plateau has not healed yet, and as such, the team has officially declared him sidelined for the rest of the season.

Here is what Athletic Trainer Gary Vitti said about the injury:

“With Kobe’s injury still not healed, the amount of time he’d need to rehab and be ready to play, and the amount of time remaining in the season, we’ve simply run out of time for him to return. However, Kobe will have the entire offseason to heal, rehab and prepare, and we look forward to him being 100% for the start of next season.”

As for the superstar guard, this is what he had to say:

“Obviously this has been a frustrating and disappointing season, but I appreciate all the support I’ve received from the Lakers and the fans, and look forward to being back and ready for the start of training camp.” 

He also tweeted a couple of things.

“@mcten: New blog post: Kobe finally proving to be human http://t.co/p8StSRk4gj”. #thankyou
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) March 12, 2014

Thank you for all the support. 7months to get back And answer this challenge #healthy #training #nutrition #bodyarmor
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) March 12, 2014

Kobe played just six games this season, averaging 13.8 points (42.5% from the field, 18.8% from 3pt range, & 85.7% from the charity stripe), 4.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.17 steals in 29.5 minutes.

The Lakers are tied with Sacramento and Utah in toting the worst record in the Western Conference with a 22-42 record.

Russell Westbrook has arthroscopic knee surgery, out until after All-Star Break

Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports via Poughkeepsie Journal

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced that star guard Russell Westbrook underwent surgery on his right knee and is sidelined for at least seven weeks.

Westbrook needed arthroscopic knee surgery to relieve swelling that accumulated. Sam Presti explained that the team already has a medical plan set up during his return from his meniscal tear, one which includes multiple MRI scans and occasional knee drains, they discovered something that necessitated such a scope.

The team released this statement:

“Russell has been playing pain free, but recently had experienced increased swelling. After consultation and consideration by his surgeon in Los Angeles, a plan was established to monitor the swelling that included a series of scheduled MRIs,” said Presti. “On the most recent MRI it was determined by the surgeon that there was an area of concern that had not previously existed, nor was detectable in the previous procedures, and it was necessary to evaluate Russell further. The consulting physician determined that arthroscopic surgery was necessary to address the swelling that was taking place. We know that Russell’s work ethic and commitment will help him return to the level of play that we have all come to appreciate.” 

Russ is averaging 21.3 points, six rebounds and seven assists in 25 games this season, and is just fresh from putting up the eighth triple-double in the history of NBA games held on Christmas Day (14 points, 13 rebounds and ten assists in 29 minutes against the hapless New York Knicks)

He also is currently sixth in the All-Star game balloting for Western Conference guards (and will most definitely would have been a shoo-in for the West All-Star Reserves if healthy).

Looking at the schedule, the Thunder have 27 games until the All-Star break. Breaking that down further, they will face ten Western Conference teams (including three games against their Northwest Division rivals Portland, two games against the man that caused the injury (Houston) and two games against the team that eliminated them in the last postseason (Memphis), as well as one game against Golden State and the reigning conference champions (San Antonio). Among the Eastern Conference teams on its schedule, they would face Miami and Atlanta, which comprise 2/3 of the conference's teams with a win-loss record above .500.  They will also complete their matchups against the New York-based teams (twice against the Nets and a visit from the Knicks).

In the case that he comes back on time, the Thunder's campaign after the break will be a four game homestand against the Heat, the Clippers, the Cavs and the Grizzlies to close out the month of February. Do keep in mind that in the aftermath of his second surgery last October, he only missed two games.

Derrick Rose is done for the 2013-14 NBA Season

from the Chicago Bulls website. Photo c/o Cameron Browne/NBAE/Getty Images

As what we shared on Sunday, Derrick Rose was announced to have been shelved indefinitely. Earlier today, that length has been defined a little bit.

The Bulls announced that he will be out for the remainder of the season after having surgery to repair the meniscus on his right knee.

The statement reads:

Earlier this morning, Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose underwent successful surgery to repair his previously torn medial meniscus in his right knee. The surgery was performed at Rush University Medical Center by Chicago Bulls head team physician Dr. Brian Cole and team physician Dr. Chuck Bush Joseph.

Rose is out for the remainder of the season. He suffered his injury in the third quarter of Chicago’s loss at Portland on Friday night.

The team opted with the reattachment of the torn portion of the knee instead of removing the meniscus. That particular option has a longer recovery time, but since Rose is just 25, it was perceived to be the better thing do career-wise.

Derrick played ten games this season for Chicago, where he averaged 15.9 points (on 35.4% shooting from the field), 3.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists in over 31 minutes. He has only played 49 games in the last three seasons, in stark contrast to his first three seasons where he only missed a total of five games..

Derrick Rose injures knee, out indefinitely

Photo c/o the Chicago Tribune

The Chicago Bulls suffered a double whammy yesterday at the Moda Center in Portland.

Not only did they lose, 98-95, while owning a 21-point lead, but also lost Derrick Rose to a knee injury.

Rose injured his right knee with 3:20 remaining in the third quarter, when he lost his footing while trying to change direction to get back on defense after Nicolas Batum stole a pass from Joakim Noah. He could not put any weight on the knee and needed to be helped off to the locker room.

Rose at the time had 20 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.

The MRI conducted earlier today revealed that Rose suffered a medial meniscus tear and will need surgery. Reports from multiple media outlets vary the length of time that he will be out from eight weeks to four months. The Bulls officially ruled him out indefinitely.

The official statement is as follows:

Bulls guard Derrick Rose sustained an injury to his right knee against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night.

Subsequent examinations and an MRI confirmed a medial meniscus tear to his right knee, which will require surgery. Rose is out indefinitely, and will not accompany the team on the rest of its current road trip.

This is how he got hurt.