Kobe Bryant has Ligament Tear in Finger

Kobe Bryant will be nursing a severe finger injury after the all-star break. (AP Images)

ESPN is reporting that Lakers star Kobe Bryant has a finger injury that is more severe than first diagnosed.

Team doctors have reported that there is a complete tear of the radial collateral ligament.

Despite the injury Bryant does not want to undergo surgery to treat the injury.

"My current thinking is to give my finger some treatment and rest for a few days, and hope I can still continue to compete at a high level after that rest," Bryant said.

"I would prefer to delay any surgical procedure until after our Lakers season, and this summer's Olympic Games. But this is an injury that myself and the Lakers medical staff will just have to continue to monitor on a day-to-day basis."

Bryant will no longer compete in the three-point contest on Saturday. Dirk Nowtizki will take hims place.

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