Kobe Bryant injures right shoulder vs Pelicans, will have MRI

Kobe Bryant injured his shoulder during the Los Angeles Lakers loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, and the team is officially labeling it a "sore right shoulder" until he undergoes an MRI Thursday. Kobe continued playing in the game, shooting with his left hand instead, but ended the night at the 30-minute mark. Bryant went straight to the locker room after checking out for the final time.

For now, it might be safe to expect Kobe to miss the Lakers' road game against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday. The Lakers' staff wouldn't elaborate on the injury following the loss, however, keeping it at "sore" until the results of his testing come back. We'll have an update on the injury as soon as it's available, but here's what the team and Bryant had to say before leaving the Smoothie King Center:

Kobe: "I’ve played with a torn labrum, so I’m not too concerned." Says it’s too early to get worried about this being a long term injury.

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 22, 2015

Byron said he wasn't debating whether to play Kobe after shoulder issue bc he said it was fine

— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) January 22, 2015

BScott: "I don't know if he (Kobe) thought he would be that limited....He always says he has two arms."

— janis carr (@janiscarr) January 22, 2015

Kobe nodded when asked if he hurt his shoulder on the dunk.

— janis carr (@janiscarr) January 22, 2015

And his left-handed turnaround jumper, to put something positive in here: