Updated

Despite severely spraining his left ankle in a loss to Atlanta on Wednesday, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant started Friday's clash with the Indiana Pacers.

In an attempt to tie the contest late on a baseline jumper, the 15-time All- Star was injured when he came down on the foot of the Hawks' Dahntay Jones. He was originally thought to be out indefinitely, but started Friday.

Bryant ranks third among the league's top scorers, averaging 27.5 points per game. He has yet to miss a game this season.