NBA: Kobe Bryant likely to miss rest of season due to rotator cuff injury

LOS Angeles Lakers NBA star Kobe Bryant will have the weekend to ponder treatment options for what doctors confirmed was a torn rotator cuff injury.

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 15: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers ices he knees during a 109-102 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers at Staples Center on January 15, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. Harry How/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

LOS Angeles Lakers NBA star Kobe Bryant will have the weekend to ponder treatment options for what doctors confirmed was a torn rotator cuff injury in his right shoulder.

Bryant suffered the injury on Wednesday in a game at New Orleans and an MRI exam revealed the injury, the findings backed soon after an examination by Lakers team physician Steve Lombardo, who discussed options with Bryant, including the possibility of season-ending surgery.

Bryant, who is expected to decide on a treatment course after a Monday examination by another doctor, was able to joke about the situation in a Twitter posting.

“This is what happens when I pass too much! #ShoulderShock thank u all for ur thoughts and prayers,” Bryant tweeted.

Bryant, 36, is in his 19th NBA season and last month passed Michael Jordan for third on the all-time NBA scoring list.

But Bryant has struggled with inconsistency much of this season, hitting only 37.3 per cent from the field, and Lakers coach Byron Scott says he wants to limit Bryant’s playing time to preserve the guard’s health.

Bryant, who has one season remaining on his contract at $US25 million ($A31 million), was voted to the Western Conference All-Star starting line-up Thursday for an unprecedented 17th consecutive year despite his troubles — remaining a fan favourite despite the setbacks.

Bryant has played on five NBA championship teams with the Lakers, including 2000-2002 plus 2009 and 2010, and helped the United States claim Olympic gold in 2008 at Beijing and 2012 in London.

But the Lakers are a woeful 12-31 this season, second-worst in the Western Conference and fourth-worst in the 30-team league.

Originally published as NBA: Kobe Bryant likely to miss rest of season due to rotator cuff injury