Lakers' Bryant undergoes season-ending shoulder surgery
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}El Segundo, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant had successful surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder.
The procedure, performed by Drs. Neal ElAttrache and Steve Lombardo on Wednesday morning, lasted two hours.
"I expect Kobe to make a full recovery and if all goes as expected, he should be ready for the start of the season," said ElAttrache, who also noted recovery time will be approximately nine months.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The 19-year veteran and five-time NBA champion suffered the injury in last Wednesday's 96-80 loss at New Orleans. It's the third straight year Bryant has endured a season-ending injury, after a torn Achilles tendon in April 2013 and a broken bone in his knee last season.
The 36-year-old Bryant averaged 22.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 35 games this season.