Los Angeles Lakers star forward Kobe Bryant said on Wednesday his right knee injury was not serious and may not prevent him from competing in the NBA preseason.

U.S. basketball team player Kobe Bryant attends a training session for the Beijing Olympics at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel in Macau July 30, 2008. [Xinhua/Reuters]

Bryant said he had felt better on Wednesday after he injured his right knee on Tuesday in the Los Angeles Lakers' 102-98 win over the Charlotte Bobcats in San Diego.

Bryant, the reigning league MVP, was injured under the Lakers' basket when he banged knees with teammate Josh Powell while going for a rebound.

"There was no swelling. At that point, I knew I was OK. Some injuries can go either way. You've got to get lucky. I didn't sleep much, to be honest with you. Just moving it around, seeing if it was all right," said Bryant.

(Xinhua News Agency October 24, 2008)