Injury | featured news

Just when you thought the Lakers were past the injury bug that plagued their early season. Kobe Bryant is out indefinitely with severe ankle sprain suffered in the closing seconds of the Lakers loss in Atlanta Wednesday, according to Lakers reporter Mike Trudell.

Serena Williams has withdrawn from the Dubai Championships because of a lower back injury. Williams took over the No. 1 ranking last week in Qatar, the sixth time in her career she has been the top-ranked player in the world. She lost in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open last month after injuring her back.

Boston Celtics star point guard Rajon Rondo has torn his anterior cruciate ligament and will miss the rest of the season. The team made the announcement during Sunday's game against the Miami Heat. The Celtics had lost six in a row heading into the nationally televised game despite back-to-back triple-doubles by the point guard who had been elected to start for the East in the Feb. 17 All-Star game in Houston.

On a cool, dark autumn night, the stars shined bright and brilliant in the Bronx. But the biggest ones in pinstripes watched the dramatic conclusion from the afar — shortstop Derek Jeter injured and third baseman Alex Rodriguez benched — while Detroit’s finest, Miguel Cabrera, scored the winning run in extra innings.

The New England Patriots lost for the first time in 11 home openers at Gillette Stadium. They may have also lost one of their most dynamic and dangerous offensive weapons for a while. Tight end Aaron Hernandez injured his right ankle midway through the first quarter of New England's 20-18 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday and did not return.

Liu Xiang, the 2004 gold medalist and former world-record holder in the event, appeared to mistime his approach to the first hurdle, ran directly into it and fell.

Knicks forward Amar’e Stoudemire did not break any bones or sustain any tendon or ligament damage in his left hand, a person with direct knowledge of his status said.

Melissa Gilbert wound up in the hospital on Monday night after falling during a dance; she's since Twittered that she'll be all right.

Say so long to Linsanity. Jeremy Lin will miss the rest of the regular season because he needs knee surgery that will sideline him six weeks and could leave the Knicks without their star point guard in the playoffs - if they make it that far.

The Williams sisters have not had it easy in recent years. Two of the modern era's most successful women tennis players have been beset by health problems which have deprived the game of two of its most marketable stars.