Bryant tweaks back in Game Four loss

May 12, 2008 - 1:38 AM SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) -- Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant injured his back in Sunday's 123-115 overtime loss to the Utah Jazz in Game Four of their Western Conference semifinals series.

The newly minted league Most Valuable Player, Bryant is listed as day to day for Wednesday's pivotal Game Five at the Staples Center. The series is tied at 2-2 with the home team winning each game in the best-of-seven matchup.

Bryant, who led all scorers with 33 points, tweaked his back on the second possession of the game while taking a turnaround jumper. As a result, he suffered back spasms that he said limited his movement throughout.

"You've got to make some adjustments," said Bryant, who answered questions at the news conference while standing presumably to avoid aggravating his injury. "You can't run like you want to, cut like you want to."

Bryant scored 25 of his points in the first three quarters. He scored just three points in the fourth and was 1-of-7 from the field in the extra period but would not blame it on his back.

"No excuses for me," Bryant said. "(Andrei Kirilenko) did a great job, (he's a) great defensive player. They just did a terrific job. They made the plays when they needed to."