Los Angeles Lakers: Twitter Reacts To Kobe Bryant Ankle Injury

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Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

During the closing seconds of the fourth quarter of Wednesday nights game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks, Lakers star Kobe Bryant attempted a game-tying jumper (Hawks had a 94-92 lead at the time), only to land awkwardly on his left ankle.

The Hawks ultimately prevailed, taking the game by a final score of 96-92.

Here is a look at the play in question…

It appears that Atlanta guard Dahntay Jones (who was defending Bryant at the time) had his foot out in a position where Kobe couldn’t help but land on it.

The Lakers are calling this injury a “severe ankle sprain“, which will keep Bryant out of action indefinitely.

Bryant finished the night with 31 points on 11 for 33 shooting, including seven rebounds, five assists and five turnovers.

On the season, Kobe is averaging 27.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists.

Jones went on the defensive after the game, trying to prove that he had no intention of causing any harm to Bryant during that play.

Tape doesn’t lie. Ankle was turned on the floor after the leg kick out that knocked him off balance. I would never try to hurt the man

— Dahntay (@dahntay1) March 14, 2013

Well, regardless of that, it doesn’t appear that Kobe Bryant is taking too kindly to Mr. Jones, at the moment.

#dangerousplay that should have been called. Period.

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) March 14, 2013

This isn’t the first time controversy has crossed the path of both Bryant and Jones. During the 2009 Western Conference Finals, Jones was assessed a flagrant foul for tripping Bryant, while as a member of the Denver Nuggets.

When interviewed after the game, Kobe was extremely vocal in his displeasure with Dahntay.

“I can’t get my mind past the fact that I’ve got to wait a year to get revenge,”

Many fans have taken to Twitter to voice their opinions on Kobe’s injury, and whether or not they believe Jones deserves a great deal of blame for it.

Did he do it on purpose?

It’ll be great next year when Kobe flies to Turkey, just to face Dahntay Jones in a game.

— Ethan Strauss (@SherwoodStrauss) March 14, 2013

Dahntay Jones ain’t exactly the most coordinated NBA player in the world. He didn’t do that n purpose. — Mike Prada (@MikePradaSBN) March 14, 2013

Kobe vows revenge on Dahntay Jones for a totally accidental play that wasn’t really Jones’ fault? Yeah, that’s crazy. — SBNation NBA (@SBNationNBA) March 14, 2013

No respect for Dahntay Jones not following the unwritten rule of bball. If you’ve played any level of bball u know what he was trying to do. — Martin Graham (@MartinGraham_) March 14, 2013

i mean dahntay jones fouled him yea…but ion think he did it on purpose. kobe likes to kick his legs out on his shots. — Matthew Smiley (@tarheelsmiley) March 14, 2013

Dahntay jones hurt Kobe on purpose what a loser

— ANGELA(@ANGELAMISTRESS) March 14, 2013

Dahntay Jones hurts everyone… kobe and lebron. this man is dirty

— Jay (@Jacob_Richman) March 14, 2013

I just rewatched the video of Kobe’s injury. I didn’t see anything dirty from Dahntay Jones.

— Adam Klug (@Adam_Klug) March 14, 2013

Pope Francis’ first order of business: “Get Dahntay Jones to take out Kobe.” #conspiracytheories

— Andrew James Winch (@andrewjwinch) March 14, 2013

@bigdaddybax I thought it should have been a foul. But just because it wasn’t doesnt mean he should “get revenge” on dahntay jones

— Tyler Thomas (@T_Time3245) March 14, 2013

The amount of beef between Kobe and Dahntay Jones is nuts… You know Kobe is gonna bust like 50 on him when they play next year #revenge

— Paul Borges (@PB_Trey) March 14, 2013