Kobe still playing through pain

March 6th, 2008, 2:36 pm · Post a Comment · posted by Curtis Zupke, Staff writer

By CURTIS ZUPKE

The Orange County Register

EL SEGUNDO - It’s easy to forget that Kobe Bryant is having an MVP-worthy season with a damaged finger on his shooting hand, especially after his 52-point game on Sunday.

That doesn’t mean the pain isn’t there.

“Every day,” Bryant said. “You get used to it. When it’s painful, you know that it can’t get any worse. It’s just pain. It will go away after a minute or so. But it’s not going to get any worse.”

Bryant tore the ligaments in his right pinky on Feb.5. Surgery was recommended, but Bryant opted to put off the procedure and subsequent six-week recovery after this summer’s Olympics.

Bryant appears to be fine but he said still keeps the hand “out of a play or two” and “I’ll kind of move my fingers around and wait for the pain to subside a little bit.”

Bryant said it’s the most aggravating injury he’s had.

“It’s a pain in the …”

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