Ankle Injury Stops Kobe

Jet, June 26, 2000

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant grimaces in pain as he holds his left ankle after he sprained it during the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of the NBA Finals in Los Angeles. Though Bryant was taken out of the game after the injury, the Lakers won 111-104. Still nursing the injury, Bryant missed Game 3 in Indianapolis.

The Pacers won the game 100-91. Though Bryant wanted to play, Lakers coach Phil Jackson told the press: "I wanted to see him do some lateral slides and I asked him how it felt. He said it hurts. I said well then, let's save it. We can save this one." At JET press time, the Lakers led 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.