A backpack slung over his shoulders, Kobe Bryant strolled out of the locker room at Smoothie King Center and brushed aside questions over an apparent injury that had forced him to play one-handed.
“I’m not too concerned,” Bryant said confidently. The next day an MRI revealed a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder.
His 19th season was over.
One year and two weeks later, Bryant returned on Thursday, New Orleans the latest stop on his farewell tour.
He tallied 27 points and 12 rebounds to carry the Lakers to a 99-96 win over the Pelicans, but for a superstar whose recent career has been derailed by injuries, Bryant wasn’t missing a chance to walk off the court healthy.