Indianapolis, IN (Sports Network) - Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant attempted to play on Friday after severely spraining his ankle two days prior, but didn't last very long.
Bryant started the contest and played the entire first quarter, but never checked back in and the Lakers announced during halftime that he will not return.
The 15-time All-Star injured his ankle near the end of a loss to the Atlanta Hawks. He was attempting to tie the contest late on a baseline jumper, but misfired and came down on the foot of the Hawks' Dahntay Jones.
Bryant ranks third among the league's top scorers, averaging 27.5 points per game. He has yet to miss a game this season.
