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Kobe Bryant sprains left ankle in Lakers loss, out indefinitely

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ATLANTA -- Kobe Bryant severely sprained his left ankle Wednesday night and will be out indefinitely, according to the Lakers.

Bryant appeared to come down on Dahntay Jones’ foot after missing a baseline shot in the final seconds of the Lakers’ 96-92 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

Bryant left the game after the Lakers committed a foul. He did not return. X-rays were negative.

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Bryant was not happy with Jones, suggesting the Hawks swingman caused the sprain by purposely sliding his foot under Bryant while he was still in the air on the 18-foot fadeaway jumper.

“First and foremost, I think the officials really need to protect shooters,” Bryant said. “Defensive players, you can contest shots but you can’t walk underneath players.

“It’s just a very, very dangerous play, especially if I’m fading away. There’s no rhyme or reason why I should come down anywhere near somebody’s foot.”

Jones said on Twitter that he was not trying to hurt Bryant.

“Tape doesn’t lie,” Jones said. “[Bryant’s] ankle was turned on the floor after the leg kick out that knocked him off balance. I would never try to hurt the man.”

Bryant said it was the worst ankle sprain he’d experienced since coming down on Jalen Rose’s foot in Game 2 of the 2000 NBA Finals against Indiana. Bryant missed a game in that series, which the Lakers eventually won. Rose later admitted he slid his foot under Bryant on purpose.

Bryant and Jones have a history. Jones was assessed a flagrant foul for tripping Bryant while with Denver in the 2009 Western Conference finals.

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Bryant obviously wasn’t thrilled with Jones after Wednesday’s game.

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

Bryant had 31 points but did not shoot well, missing 22 of 33 shots.

The Lakers (34-32) had been playing well, winning four consecutive games, but took a step back by losing to the injury-depleted Hawks.

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