(CNN) -- Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant could be sidelined for up to nine months after tearing his Achilles tendon, the team said Saturday.
The injury happened Friday against the Golden State Warriors. An MRI later confirmed the tear.
"Bryant elected to have surgery to repair the torn left Achilles tendon," the team said. "The successful surgery was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache and Dr. Stephen Lombardo of the Kerlan Jobe Orthopaedic Group. Recovery time is expected to be a minimum of six to nine months."
A ruptured Achilles could take up to a year to heal, according to Will Carroll, sports injuries lead writer for Bleacher Report. Bryant has previously said that next season could be his last in the NBA. This is the 16th season in the league for the 34-year-old.
Asked if the timetable means Bryant will be back next season, trainer Gary Vitti said on Twitter "that's the plan."
Bryant reacted with disappointment on social media after the injury. On his Facebook page he posted a lengthy update:
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers is injured in the second half while playing the Golden State Warriors on Friday, April 12. The injury will take Bryant out for the rest of the season.
Kobe Bryant's career
"This is such BS! All the training and sacrifice just flew out the window with one step that I've done millions of times! The frustration is unbearable. The anger is rage. Why the hell did this happen ?!? Makes no damn sense. Now I'm supposed to come back from this and be the same player Or better at 35?!? How in the world am I supposed to do that??
"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."
Later, Bryant called the injury the first step in a new challenge.
"One day, the beginning of a new career journey will commence. Today is NOT that day," he wrote. The post received more than 136,000 likes.
According to an earlier tweet from the Lakers, Bryant could tell what the injury was before seeing a doctor.
"I was just hoping it wasn't what I thought it was," Bryant said, according to the tweet.
The Lakers have two games left in the regular season, both at home. They face the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday and the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.
After beating the Warriors 118-116, the team is one game ahead of the Utah Jazz for the final spot in the NBA's Western Conference playoffs.
Bryant is the NBA's fourth all-time leading scorer, and he currently ranks among the top three in the NBA in scoring this season, averaging 27.3 points. This season, he has averaged 5.6 rebounds, a team-high 6.0 assists, 1.36 steals and 38.6 minutes in 78 games.
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Bryant prepares for an MRI after the injury. He posted the image on his Instagram account.
Bryant prepares for surgery.
Bryant vies with Argentinian forward Leonardo Gutierrez during the USA men's basketball preliminary round match in the London Olympic Games on August 6, 2012.
U.S. first lady Michelle Obama hugs Bryant after the United States played France at the Olympics on July 29, 2012.
Bryant reverse dunks over Grant Hill, No. 33, and Marcin Gortat, No. 4, of the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center on January 10, 2012, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 99-83.
Bryant dunks in the third quarter against the New Orleans Hornets in game five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2011, at Staples Center.
Bryant joins a teaching session for fans during a promotional tour of South Korea at Korea University on July 14, 2011, in Seoul, South Korea.
U.S. President Barack Obama chats with Bryant at a Boys and Girls Club in Washington on December 13, 2010. Obama welcomed the Lakers to honor their 2009-2010 season and their second consecutive NBA championship.
Bryant shoots a jumper over Carmelo Anthony, No. 15 of the Denver Nuggets, in the fourth quarter of game one of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 19, 2009. The Lakers defeated the Nuggets 105-103.
Bryant, top, and New Jersey Nets' guard Kerry Kittles fight for a rebound in the first quarter on April 3, 2002, at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Bryant celebrates after game five of the NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic at Amway Arena on June 14, 2009, in Orlando. The Lakers won 99-86 for their 15th title and first since 2002. Bryant had 30 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists as the Lakers completed a four-games-to-one victory in the best-of-seven NBA Finals.
Bryant holds his daughter, Gianna, after the Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic in the NBA Finals on June 14, 2009.
Bryant accepts the best team award on behalf of the Los Angeles Lakers from musician Stevie Wonder during the 2009 ESPY Awards held at Nokia Theatre LA Live on July 15, 2009, in Los Angeles.
Bryant rides the Matterhorn Bobsleds with Jonathan Guerrero, 4, and his father, David Guerrero of Pomona, California, at Disneyland on June 18, 2009, in Anaheim, California The Guerreros were among thousands of Lakers fans who turned out for a special Disneyland parade honoring the Lakers' 15th World Championship.
Bryant appears on the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at NBC Studios on June 28, 2001, in Burbank, California.
Vlade Divac, No. 21 of the Sacramento Kings, jumps for the ball against Bryant during game four of the Western Conference Semifinals at Arco Arena on May 13, 2001, in Sacramento, California.
Bryant hugs his fiance, Vanessa Laine, while in the locker room after defeating the Indiana Pacers in game six of the 2000 NBA Finals to win the series 4-2 on June 19, 2000, in Los Angeles. Bryant later married Laine and the couple has two children.
Bryant, center, is restrained by teammate Ron Harper, left, and assistant coach Jim Cleamons after a confrontation with New York Knicks guard Chris Childs on April 2, 2000, at Staples Center. Both players were ejected and the Lakers went on to defeat the Knicks 106-82.
Lakers player Shaquille O'Neal, right, hugs teammate Bryant on June 14, 2000, after the Lakers beat the Indiana Pacers in game four of the NBA Finals at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Lakers won the game 120-118 to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven game series.
Bryant sits on the sidelines during the Euro ABC camp in Berlin on July 7, 1999.
Bryant eyes the basket during the NBA Slam Dunk contest on February 8, 1997, at Gund Arena in Cleveland. Bryant is the youngest player to win the contest.
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