Waiting about for MRI results on Kobe Bryant's injured shoulder, the references to Jan. 22, 2006, were impossible to miss. On that date, Bryant scored 81 points in a once in a lifetime performance that may never be topped by another individual player.
Only Wilt Chamberlain knew the feeling of scoring more points in a single game, and Chamberlain's NBA belonged in a different era where even video evidence did not exist of the incredible 100-point game.
Nine years after 81, Bryant's status was "doubtful," as the team awaited results for a damaged right shoulder.
Being the relentless competitor that he is at 36-years young, Bryant followed up leaving Wednesday's game early by defiantly speaking about averaging 40 points per game with a torn labrum and playing NBA games back in 2004 using only one arm because he had a separated shoulder.
Still failing to completely accept his new reality, Bryant spoke with the air of a man believing anything was possible despite evidence to the contrary. He hurt himself on a dunk. No, it was not a thunder jam. Bryant simply got a step on the baseline and finished a standard two-handed dunk.
Kobe. Dunk. RT @NBA_Skits: Vintage Kobe Bryant with this dunk. https://t.co/EljLdykKGz — Triple Threat (@LA_TripleThreat) January 22, 2015
When results of the MRI became known on Thursday afternoon, the news was not good.
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"Preliminary results from the MRI show a tear of the rotator cuff," the Lakers' press release stated.
The team also confirmed Bryant would fly home from San Antonio on Thursday and be examined by doctors on Friday to determine a timeline for recovery. If Bryant requires surgery, one would expect his season may be over. Somehow, this disastrously bad Lakers' season just got worse.
Bryant's injury came in his 1,500th career NBA game. One has to wonder how many more he has left in him at this point, and was that Bryant's last dunk ever?
