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Lakers Place Kobe Bryant on Injured List

Posted on: Wednesday, 14 January 2004, 06:00 CST

Kobe Bryant was placed on the injured list Wednesday and is expected to miss up to three weeks with a sprained right shoulder.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson said Bryant won't need surgery.

Bryant was injured in a collision with Cleveland's Kedrick Brown on Monday night.

The NBA's seventh-leading scorer with a 22.0-point average, Bryant was injured late in the first quarter of an 89-79 victory over the Cavaliers when he faked Brown into the air outside the 3-point line and Brown landed on Bryant's shoulder.

In obvious pain, Bryant made three free throws, but left after the period ended and went to the locker room for X-rays. Bryant played a little more than five minutes in the second quarter, but was clearly not himself, running with his right arm hanging at his side.

Bryant had surgery on his shoulder June 12 - four weeks after the Lakers were eliminated from the second round of the playoffs by San Antonio. He had an inflamed bursa removed and a frayed labrum trimmed.

On Wednesday, the Lakers signed guard Ime Udoka to a 10-day contract. He was with the Lakers through training camp and played in six preseason games, averaging 3.7 points, 1.3 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 8.8 minutes.

Udoka has been playing with the NBDL's Charleston Lowgators and averaging 14.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.50 steals in 29.2 minutes.

The Lakers have recently been without Shaquille O'Neal and Karl Malone because of injuries, and Malone's return doesn't appear imminent. The healthy members of their backcourt are Gary Payton, Derek Fisher and Kareem Rush.

"You never imagine it, that's why you have 12 men on your roster," Jackson said of the glut of injuries. "We'll have to change somewhat. Personnel makes a big difference in how we play."

O'Neal strained his right calf Jan. 4 and has missed five games, while Malone sprained a ligament in his right knee Dec. 21 and has sat out nine games.

Rick Fox, a starter for the past three seasons, hasn't played since undergoing surgery on his left foot eight months ago. He figures to start when fully healthy, which the Lakers hope will be soon.

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