The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off a disappointing loss to the New Orleans Hornets in Game 4 after Kobe Bryant and company were unable to contain All-Star point guard Chris Paul once again. Even though the two-time defending NBA champions were favored to win it all heading into the NBA playoffs, the Hornets have really started to give them some trouble after tying up the series at two games a piece (2-2).
The Lakers will almost certainly have the edge heading back to Los Angeles to host Game 5 at the Staples Center, but more bad news for the Lakeshow on the injury front after Kobe Bryany suffered a bad ankle sprain during the closing minutes of the fourth quarter in the loss to the Hornets. The sprain was on the same foot Kobe had previously sprained the against the Dallas Mavericks about five weeks ago.
Reportedly, Kobe Bryant is saying that he will be ready to play in Game 5 on Tuesday night, but he was seen walking on crutches out of New Orleans Arena after Game 4. There is no doubt that Kobe's ankle has blown up like a balloon and has begun to swell, but with the around the clock treatment he gets and the fact that he has gone through this recently, I believe he will be on the floor on Tuesday night.
Whether or not Kobe Bryant can be effective in Game 5 and play through pain once again remains to be seen. Even if the Black Mamba was hit by truck and had to roll into Staples Center in a wheelchair, he would still try and get on the floor for Phil Jackson. Hopefully, this helps the Lakers instead of hurting their chances moving forward.
Keep checking back here for the latest Kobe Bryant injury updates. Check out Kobe's injury in the vide on the left-hand side of this post.
Game 5: New Orleans Hornets @ Los Angeles Lakers Tues. April 26, 2011 7:30 p.m. PST
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