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| | Thursday, October 14 | |||||
| INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has a fractured bone in his right hand and will be out a minimum of six weeks.
In addition, forward-center Travis Knight will be out for three to four weeks with a severely sprained right ankle.
Bryant's hand was hit by an errant elbow as he went for a rebound. He continued to play, adding five assists, four steals and no turnovers in 30 minutes. "He played the rest of the game, didn't realize it was broken until this morning and complained of pain," team spokesman John Black said. Doctors examined Bryant's hand in Los Angeles on Thursday and X-rays revealed he had broken the fourth metacarpal bone, Black said. He was fitted with a cast to just below his elbow, which he'll wear for about two weeks. "He'll be working out as of today, doing conditioning and stuff, working on his left-handed jump shot and hook shot," Black said. Fortunately for the Lakers, they signed veteran shooting guard Ron Harper on Wednesday. His presence could help offset the loss of Bryant, 21, who averaged 19.9 points per game last season as was named to the All-NBA third team.The 7-foot, 235-pound Knight averaged 4.2 points and 2.5 rebounds in 37 games during the abbreviated 1999 season. His injury will be evaluated on a weekly basis.
Los Angeles opens its first season under new coach Phil Jackson on Nov. 2 at Utah. | ALSO SEE Lakers sign Ron Harper, add backcourt depth
AUDIO/VIDEO   Kobe Bryant says he will come back even stronger.wav: 183 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6  | |||||
