Los Angeles: Kobe Bryant’s Achilles injury flared again as the Los Angeles Lakers ended a four-game losing streak with a 95-91 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday.
Bryant, who had missed Sunday’s loss to the Utah Jazz with an Achilles problem, limped out of the contest in the second quarter after scoring seven points in 16 minutes.
The NBA legend, who is retiring at the end of the season, missed all five of his three-point attempts before exiting.
Guard Lou Williams was the hero for the Lakers, scoring 19 points and supplying eight assists.
Williams also made a crucial late basket with 18.5 seconds left to give the Lakers a three-point lead. Jordan Clarkson finished with 18 points for the Lakers and point guard D’Angelo Russell added 13 points. Tyreke Evans top-scored with 21 points for the Pelicans.
In another match, LeBron James had 27 points and the go-ahead layup in overtime and Kyrie Irving added 22 points and some big 3-pointers as the Cleveland Cavaliers extended their winning streak to eight games with a 110-107 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, San Antonio extended its winning streak to nine straight games with a 109-99 victory over Detroit.
LaMarcus Aldridge weighed in with 22 points and 13 rebounds while shooting guard Manu Ginobili finished with 15 points and five rebounds as the Spurs improved to 34-6.
Veteran center Tim Duncan added 14 points and nine rebounds with Boris Diaw supplying 12 points.
