Kobe Bryant Injury: Shin Injury Sidelines Kobe as Lakers Fall to Pheonix 125-105

Lakers star shooting guard Kobe Bryant sat out of the Lakers’ 125-105 loss versus the Phoenix Suns Saturday evening with a shin injury.

Lakers longtime trainer Gary Vitti said just before tipoff he decided to put Bryant’s left foot in a protective boot to rest the injury.

“It’s very painful,” Vitti said. “He’s been playing with this and it’s not getting any better. Really the only way to stop it is to shut him down. That’s why I put him in a boot.”

With Bryant sidelined for the first time in two seasons, Los Angeles suffered one of their worst losses of the year.

Former Lakers guard Shannon Brown scored 20 of his 24 points in the third quarter Saturday night, leading the Suns to its fourth win in five games. Suns guard Michael Redd also added 23 points to aid Phoenix in their win.

“We did a great job of playing up tempo, but not overdoing it, and taking good shots,” Suns head coach Alvin Gentry said after the game.

The Suns had only three turnovers, which according to NBA.com is the lowest total ever in a single game in franchise history.

Check out highlights from the Suns – Lakers match up in the video below:

The Lakers next game is Monday against New Orleans. Fox News is reporting there is no timetable for Bryant’s return. Kobe Bryant is to be re-evaluated on Monday.

via Fox