While all the local teams have Valentines Day off, some news just broke that Laker fans aren't going to love.

Kobe Bryant is hurt. Bad.

His right pinkie, originally thought to be dislocated on February 5th, was aggravated last night. The team finally revealed that he also has "a complete tear of the radial collateral ligament and an avulsion fracture, in which a small fragment of bone had been pulled off by a tendon."

Kobe's going to play through the pain, opting out of surgery that would sideline him for six weeks. He may have the procedure done after the Olympics.

While he's shown improved since initially getting injured, it's tough to say how badly this will affect his play. This is rough timing for the Lakers, who were just getting hot since the addition of Pau Gasol. Andrew Bynum may be close to returning, but the young big man can't exactly fill in for an all-around star like Bryant.

According to local radio, the NBA is still saying that Kobe will participate in this Sunday's all star game. He has, however, pulled out of what would have been a ridiculously cool 3-point competition.

Bryant's injury was initially caused by a collision with the Net's Jason Kidd, who could be coming to Dallas if former Laker Devean George doesn't veto the deal. With another former Laker - Shaq - playing in Phoenix, the West is getting fiercer. Los Angeles may be the deepest team in the division, but they'll need a healthy Kobe to go all the way.

AP photo by Duane Burleson.