Celtics' Garnett passes Jerry West for 15th on NBA scoring list

THE LAKERS' push for the playoffs might be without Kobe Bryant for a while.

The Los Angeles star severely sprained his left ankle Wednesday night after missing a game-tying shot in the closing seconds of a loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

Lakers spokesman John Black said Bryant is out indefinitely, just as a team that underachieved much of the season is playing its best basketball. The 96-92 loss in Atlanta snapped a four-game winning streak and was just Los Angeles' third loss in the last 12 games.

The injury occurred with the Lakers trailing by two, after Bryant put up a baseline jumper that slid off the rim with 3 seconds remaining. As he came down, his left foot landed on defender Dahntay Jones' right foot, twisting awkwardly as Bryant crumpled to the court.

No foul was called.

Bryant remained down for a few seconds then hobbled to the bench accompanied by the trainer. The 34-year-old seemed perturbed that he couldn't stay in the game, but he had to sit since the Lakers were out of timeouts.

Kyle Korver hit two free throws to clinch Atlanta's win.

While X-rays were negative, Bryant could miss significant time. He said it's the worst sprain he's had in his 16-year career, and blamed Jones for sliding underneath him after he went up for the shot.

"First and foremost, the officials really need to protect shooters," Bryant said. "You just can't go into shooters. That's a dangerous play."

He didn't say how long he might be out.

"I'll just do what I have to do," Bryant said.

Then, he delivered a warning to Jones and the Hawks.

"I can't get my mind past the fact that I have to wait a year to get revenge," Bryant said, knowing the teams don't meet again in the regular season. "It's just a very, very dangerous play, especially when I'm fading away."

Bryant has carried the Lakers in their turnaround and ranks among the NBA scoring leaders at 27.5 points per game. Despite scoring 31 points against the Hawks, it was largely an off night. He made just 11 of 33 shots and missed the biggest one of all with a chance to force overtime.

At Boston, Kevin Garnett scored 12 points, passing Jerry West for 15th on the NBA's career scoring list, and Paul Pierce joined him among the top 20 scorers in league history with 15 points as the Celtics beat the Toronto Raptors, 112-88.

* At Washington, John Wall had 23 points and 10 assists, and the Wizards beat the Milwaukee Bucks, 106-93.

* At Indianapolis, Roy Hibbert had a season-high 27 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Indiana Pacers to a 107-91 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

* At Houston, Donatas Motiejunas scored a career-high 19 points to lead five starters in double figures and the Rockets routed the Phoenix Suns, 111-81.

* At Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant scored 23 points, Russell Westbrook added 19 and the Thunder cruised to a 110-87 win over the Utah Jazz. Kevin Martin had 15 points for Oklahoma City, which improved to 25-8 at home.

Minnesota forward Kevin Love met with a specialist concerning his surgically repaired right hand and was told he won't be cleared for full practice until his next evaluation in 2 to 3 weeks. He broke his hand for the second time on Jan. 8.

* Toronto forward Andrea Bargnani is expected to miss the rest of the season with an elbow injury.

* Dallas signed free-agent guard Chris Wright to a 10-day contract. He is the first-known NBA player to acknowledge having multiple sclerosis.