Lakers guard Kobe Bryant will need six to nine months to recover from surgery to repair his torn left Achilles. (Keith Allison/Creative Commons)

Lakers trainer Gary Vitti said Bryant suffered a third-degree tear that needed to be sewn back together. Bryant, 34, underwent successful surgery to repair the tendon Saturday afternoon.

Bryant suffered the injury with 3:08 left in Friday's game as he fell to the court while trying to drive past the Warriors' Harrison Barnes. The five-time NBA champion stayed in the game to make two free throws before hobbling into the locker room during L.A.'s 118-116 win. He finished with 34 points and played every minute before he went down clutching his left foot. 

SEE ALSO: Kobe Bryant: The Ageless One

Bryant hyperextended his knee earlier in the game, but decided to push through the ailment, with the Lakers desperately trying to hold off Utah for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot. L.A. has a one-game lead on the Jazz with two left to play.

The 6-foot-6 guard was logging more than 45 minutes per game for the month of April, including a full 48-minute performance Wednesday against Portland. For the season, Bryant averaged 38.6 minutes per contest, fewer than only the Chicago Bulls' Luol Deng.

Recovering from Achilles injuries can be quite tricky. While Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal were forced to retire, the Clippers' Chauncey Billups returned to action less than 10 months after undergoing surgery.

Early Saturday morning, Bryant posted a lengthy rant on his Facebook page, expressing frustration over the injury and appearing defiant against speculation that he may have played his final NBA game:

“I have NO CLUE. Do I have the consistent will to overcome this thing? Maybe I should break out the rocking chair and reminisce on the career that was. Maybe this is how my book ends. Maybe Father Time has defeated me…Then again maybe not! It’s 3:30am, my foot feels like dead weight, my head is spinning from the pain meds and I’m wide awake. Forgive my Venting but what’s the purpose of social media if I won’t bring it to you Real No Image?? Feels good to vent, let it out. To feel as if THIS is the WORST thing EVER! Because After ALL the venting, a real perspective sets in. There are far greater issues/challenges in the world then (sic) a torn Achilles. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, find the silver lining and get to work with the same belief, same drive and same conviction as ever.

 “One day, the beginning of a new career journey will commence. Today is NOT that day.

The league's fourth all-time leading scorer turns 35 in August and has one year remaining on a contract that will pay him about $30 million for the 2013-14 season. Bryant's 27.3 points per game was the best scoring average in league history by a player in his 17th season or later.

Read more Neon Tommy coverage of the Los Angeles Lakers here.

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