Lakers star Kobe Bryant sustained what the team called a severely sprained right ankle midway through the first quarter of Thursday night's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers and had to be helped off the court.
X-rays were negative, but Bryant will have an MRI on Friday, team spokesman John Black said.
Bryant, the NBA's second-leading scorer with a 28.2-point average, was injured when he landed on Ira Newble's right foot while going for a rebound under the Cavaliers' basket. Newble was called for a foul on the play.
Bryant immediately grabbed his ankle before teammate Brian Grant and trainer Gary Vitti helped him off the court and into the Staples Center tunnel, where Grant and injured Los Angeles forward Devean George carried him into the locker room.
Bryant left with 5:39 left in the first period and the game tied at 15. He had two points and three assists.