Kobe Bryant
Jan 21, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) drives past New Orleans Pelicans forward Dante Cunningham (44) and guard Eric Gordon (10) during the second quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Lakers starting shooting guard Kobe Bryant was diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder and may be unavailable at the annual NBA All-Star game. The “Black Mamba” was one of the players named into the starting line-up for the Western Conference all-stars and the development might force the league to select a replacement for him.

The 36-year-old Bryant has been playing with a shoulder ailment since the pre-season but a two-handed baseline dunk during the third quarter in the game against the New Orleans Pelicans aggravated the injury. The five-time NBA champion will fly back to Los Angeles re-evaluate the shoulder which will determine if surgery is needed. The former Most Valuable Player has been positive of his chances to play some more games despite the setback.

"I've played on a torn labrum before," Bryant told reporters after the game per ESPN. "I'm not too concerned about it."

The NBA’s third all-time leader in points scored has been recently given some time off. Bryant has missed 8 of the last 16 games for mandatory rest. With the season seem lost for good and the team headed to the lottery, the chances that Bryant will suit up again this season looks dim. The team has already lost its top draft pick Julius Randle this year to a broken leg and is fielding a makeshift line-up in most games. With Bryant’s injury, coach Byron Scott is exercising caution given that he saw how serious the injury looked after Bryant went down.

Bryant’s health status is also crucial in the forthcoming All-Star game Feb. 15 in Brooklyn, New York. The potential omission of Bryant could free up an otherwise crowded list of hopefuls for the rest of the West squad. Bryant was the fourth top vote-getter and the selection ties him with another Laker great in Kareem Abdul Jabbar for most appearances. If he is not ready to go for the annual event, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will choose the replacement.

The Houston Rockets’ James Harden is most likely to take the starting spot of Bryant with a number of wing players deserving of the vacated spot. Memphis’ Mike Conley, Jr., Golden State’s Klay Thompson, and Portland’s Damien Lillard could all be named to the said vacant spot.

For concerns on this article, e-mail the writer at v.hidalgo@ibtimes.com.au.