Kobe Bryant moved past Michael Jordan to become the all-time leading NBA All-Star game scorer but the Los Angeles Lakers superstar suffered a suspected broken nose on Sunday.
Bryant fractured his nose in the third quarter after being hit in the face by Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade, the Los Angeles Times reported on Monday.
Wade was assessed a foul for reaching in and striking Bryant with just under nine minutes to go in the quarter.
Bryant finished with 27 points and had 271 career All-Star game points by the end of the 61st NBA All-Star Game which was won by the Western Conference 152-149.
A bloodied Bryant stepped up to the free-throw line and sank both shots.
He remained in the game, playing eight minutes in the fourth quarter and helping the West hold off a late charge by East.
Four-time All-Star game MVP Bryant was expected to be evaluated by the Lakers’ team doctor when he returned to Los Angeles from Florida on Monday.
About four minutes after the Wade elbow, Bryant surpassed Michael Jordan’s previous record of 262 points when he took a pass from Kevin Durant for a dunk in the third quarter.
The injury comes a week after Bryant blasted the Lakers’ management in an expletive-laden outburst as he described his frustration with the way the NBA club was handling the Pau Gasol trade rumours.