12 December,2009 12:33 PM IST | | AFP
Kobe Bryant played through the pain of a broken finger to score 20 points and lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 104-92 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.
Bryant suffered a small break on the index finger of his right hand in the opening quarter when he was reaching for a pass. Doctors said the "avulsion fracture" is where bone fragments break away near a tendon or ligament.
Bryant still managed to score 20 points in 33 minutes of playing time with his finger heavily bandaged in the second half.
"It is painful, but I played through it," Bryant said. "It is pretty numb, pretty sore."
Bryant said he tried to choose shots and plays where he didn't have to put too much stress on the broken digit.
"When things like this happen you have to be able to go to another weapon," he said.
Bryant played briefly in the second quarter before going to the locker room at halftime to get more treatment.
He got back into the game after halftime hitting three baskets including a three pointer in the first few minutes of the third.
Bryant is the NBA's second-leading scorer with 28.8 points per game.
