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Bryant battles through the pain |
Gritting his teeth to deaden the pain of a dislocated ring finger in his shooting hand, Kobe Bryant inspired the LA Lakers to a 105-88 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday.
The 10-times All Star guard suffered the injury early in the first quarter at a packed Staples Center but, after the finger was popped back and taped up, he began to find his range.
In an effective head-to-head with his US Olympic team mate LeBron James, Bryant contributed 20 points on nine-of-22 shooting, along with six rebounds and a game-high 12 assists.
"That might have been the worst pain I've ever played with," Bryant told reporters after the Lakers ended a run of five defeats at the hands of the Cavaliers. "It was really painful, man, and I'm glad we got through this one.
"I just dove for the ball and the finger just popped out," he added, referring to the injury barely two minutes into the game. "I was scared. I thought I was done to be honest with you.
"It felt like I had two fingers on one, it was just disgusting. I just tried to adjust as I went along. I just tried to play through it. It's throbbing right now."
Although X-rays after the game revealed no fracture, Bryant was reconciled to playing through further pain.
"I am not concerned," he said. "I played the second half with it and I'll play the rest of the season with it. It's painful and my shots are going to struggle a little bit until I get used to it."
Much more significant for Bryant was the way the Lakers had muscled their way to victory against the leading team in the Eastern Conference, having done something similar to beat the NBA champion Boston Celtics 92-83 on Christmas Day.
Physical team
"This was a big game for us because they're a physical team and that's been one of our weaknesses in the past, meeting that physicality," he said.
"They play hard and they play tough, and that was one of our weaknesses coming into the season. It was something we needed to work on.
"I felt like it was a great test for us going along with the Boston game, to play against a team that's this tough."
Cleveland coach Mike Brown paid tribute to the all-round display by the injured Bryant.
"You have to give Kobe Bryant credit," he said. "I thought he played a hell of a game.
"He didn't try to force too many things, especially early on. He did a nice job getting his team mates involved with the 12 assists."
James, who outscored Bryant on the night with 23 points but trailed with only four assists, relished their head-to-head.
"When you go against the best, it brings out the best in you," the four-times All-Star said. "You know, he's one of the ultimate competitors we have in our game today. I enjoy that.
"I enjoy going against him. I enjoyed this summer going against him in practice and playing alongside of him, it's a treat." |
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