Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant paid a price for becoming the National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star Game's leading scorer, breaking his nose in the Sunday contest, the Lakers said on Monday.
Bryant, who surpassed Michael Jordan as the game's all-time scorer, suffered a nasal fracture in the Western Conference's win and will be re-evaluated by an ear, nose and throat specialist when he returns to Los Angeles, the Lakers said on their website.
He also was experiencing headaches, Los Angeles media said.
The 14-time All-Star apparently was injured in the third quarter when he suffered a bloody nose on a foul by the Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade. Bryant helped the West beat the East 152-149 by scoring 27 points in the game in Orlando, Florida. He now has 271 points in 13 All-Star Games, nine points more than Jordan.
Kevin Durant scored 36 points on 3 out of 8 shooting from beyond the arc to lead the West All-Star Team defeat Lebron James and the company and win his first NBA All-Star MVP.
Kobe Bryant played his usual game as he scored 27 points and became the new NBA All-Star Scoring leader in the expense of Michael Jordan while Durant's teammate Russel Westbrook finished the game with 21 points.
East All-Star who never tasted the lead since the start of the 2nd quarter managed to staged a come back after James erupted with 36 points and cut the deficit to one in the closing minutes of the game. Dwayne Wade with a triple-double 24 points, 10 assist and 10 rebounds and Derron Williams contributed with 20 points to set the tone for the East All-Star.
