source: By: Steve Kyler Kobe Leaves NOLA On Crutches: Lakers' guard Kobe Bryant turned his ankle in the final minute of Game 4 last night in New Orleans. With his team down, but still very much in the game Kobe refused to come out of the game playing on a clearly hobbled foot. The Lakers were unable to make the plays to bring the game to overtime and head home with the series now tied 2-2.
Bryant, who is clearly the Lakers best player, was seen walking out of the arena on crutches but says it's going to take a lot for him not to play in Game 5 on Tuesday in LA.
"It's going to take a lot to stop me to play," Bryant said. "We'll make sure we stay on top of it."
"It's sore," Bryant said. "It just rolled over. It's been weeks since I hurt it last and when it happens, when you roll your ankle once, it's easy to go and it just went."
"I'm concerned, as I am about any injury, but I've played through so many of them it kind of becomes old hat for me."
Bryant admitted that this injury was not your typical ankle tweak, rather had more to do with his foot.
"It's more my foot," Bryant said. "It's not really my ankle. It's my foot ... I don't really hurt that too often, so, it's a little different for me."
"We'll do treatment the whole flight, just make sure we stay on top of it," Bryant said.
There was some concern expressed last night that Kobe immediately getting on a plane and in a pressurized cabin situation would cause more swelling in his foot, but there were no plans to delay the flight.
Bryant is expected to get a precautionary MRI today to insure there is no structural damage.
The Lakers are now tied in their series with New Orleans, as Hornets' star Chris notched another triple double going for 27 points, 15 assist and 14 rebounds to seal the deal in New Orleans.
The Lakers admitted after the game that they had few answers for how to slow down Paul, with Bryant heaping praise on Paul, who he tried to contain for most of the game.
"You're going against one of the best point guards in this game, and when it's all said and done, he'll be one of the best that's ever laced 'em up," Bryant said. "That's just a bad, little dude, man."
Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday at 10:30pm EST, with game 6 back in New Orleans on Thursday the 28th and a Game 7 if necessary will be back in LA on Staples Center on Saturday the 30th.
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