Final
for this game
Hurting Bryant, Lakers visit shorthanded Clippers
Jan 21, 2009 - 11:26 AM La Lakers (32-8) at La Clippers (9-31) 10:30 pm. ESTLOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Kobe Bryant's shooting hand is banged up. The Los Angeles Clippers have no sympathy for him, or the Los Angeles Lakers.
The shorthanded Clippers will have a hard time snapping their long losing streak to Bryant's Lakers on Wednesday.
The reigning league MVP, Bryant suffered a dislocated ring finger on his shooting hand in the first quarter of Monday's 105-88 win over Cleveland. Bryant fought through the injury and finished with 20 points, 12 assists and six rebounds.
"I just dove for the ball, and the finger just popped out," Bryant recalled. "I was scared, I thought I was done. It felt like I had two fingers on one, it was just disgusting. (Trainer) Gary (Vitti) just popped it back into place. Not fun."
X-rays showed no fractures, and Bryant, who is third in the league with an average of 27.0 points, said he doesn't expect to miss any time.
The Lakers probably don't need him against the Clippers, who have a laundry list of injuries. The Clippers had just nine healthy players in Monday's 94-86 loss to Minnesota.
The Clippers, who have lost six straight to the Lakers by an average of 26.6 points since a 118-110 loss on April 12 of last season, are missing Zach Randolph (knee), Marcus Camby (ankle), Chris Kaman (arch) and Baron Davis (bruised tailbone).
Rookie Eric Gordon had 25 points in Monday's loss - the Clippers' 13th setback in 14 contests.
- NBA
LA LAKERS 108
LA CLIPPERS 97 FINAL
Jan 22 12:50 AM - NBA
LA LAKERS 88
LA CLIPPERS 73 END, 3RD QTR
Jan 22 12:18 AM - NBA
LA LAKERS 58
LA CLIPPERS 55 HALFTIME
Jan 21 11:36 PM - NBA
LA LAKERS 25
LA CLIPPERS 27 END, 1ST QTR
Jan 21 11:06 PM
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