EL SEGUNDO, Calif., March 6 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Lakers Coach Phil Jackson confirmed on Saturday that superstar Kobe Bryant will be sidelined "for a while" due to a strained right shoulder.
"We tried to be optimistic, but it looks like he could be out for a while," Jackson said after practice. "He (Bryant) felt that he would be back in a few games, but we're not sure."
Bryant re-injured his shoulder in the first minute of Friday night's 99-91 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics. Defending a pick-and-roll play, Bryant's arm collided with the left arm of SuperSonics forward Reggie Evans. The six-time All-Star was taken to Centinela Medical Center for an MRI.
Facing trial in Colorado on a rape charge, Bryant scored at least 28 points in his first six games after the All-Star break.
He is averaging 22.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists in 45 games this season.
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