Kobe Bryant to undergo rotator cuff surgery Wednesday

Fans patiently awaiting some concrete news on Kobe Bryant's status won't have to wait much longer, as the Los Angeles Lakers have confirmed that a recovery timetable will be announced after Bryant undergoes surgery on Wednesday morning.

Bryant was diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder last week, after suffering the injury during Wednesday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans.

It was reported shortly afterwards that the Lakers feared Bryant would require season-ending surgery, although the team has yet to confirm that Bryant opting for surgery means his season is over.

The message from head coach Byron Scott was certainly ominous, however. "Now we know Kobe is probably not going to play," Scott said Monday, as reported by ESPN.

The 36-year-old, 19-year NBA veteran is averaging 22.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.3 steals in more than 34 minutes per game, but his shooting and overall quality of play have certainly shown signs of aging. Bryant is shooting a career-low 37 percent from the field and 29 percent from 3-point territory.

Leading up to his injury, Bryant had missed eight of the previous 15 games to rest, with head coach Byron Scott also instituting a 32-minute limit on the future Hall of Famer, who has battled back from major Achilles and knee injuries over the last two years.