BOSTON, March 10 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant returned from his shoulder injury much earlier than expected Wednesday night.
Wearing a special shirt beneath his jersey to support his strained right shoulder, Bryant returned to the starting lineup when the Lakers took on Boston.
Bryant injured the shoulder for the second time this season just five days ago. An examination the following day was followed by pessimism from Coach Phil Jackson, although Bryant indicated he could be back in a few games.
Bryant missed two games -- a 94-88 home win over New Jersey on Sunday and an 88-83 road loss to Utah on Monday.
Bryant re-injured the shoulder in the first minute of Friday night's victory over Seattle and left the game. He underwent an MRI that revealed no structural damage.
Over the weekend, Bryant said the injury needs three months of rest to fully heal. He had the same shoulder surgically repaired in the offseason.
