Lamar Odom — the former Los Angeles Laker and reality TV star who was rushed to the hospital last week after being found unconscious in the Love Ranch brothel in Nevada — appears to be on the mend.
But all is not good news for Odom, the estranged husband of “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” star Khloe Kardashian.
Read on for the latest updates in Odom’s health crisis.
Odom has begun speaking again. As reported Sunday, the former basketball star’s condition continued to improve over the weekend and he has begun “speaking sentences” from his hospital bed, communicating with family and friends.
He’s also “getting stronger,” his aunt says. Odom’s aunt JaNean Mercer said in a statement Monday that her 35-year-old nephew is “getting stronger and reaching significant milestones” in his recovery.
“Lamar has always been blessed with a tenacious, fighting spirit, overcoming insurmountable obstacles to achieve the impossible. These past few days have been no different,” Mercer said. “He is defying the odds in his toughest battle to date with God’s grace. Each day Lamar is getting stronger and reaching significant milestones in his recovery. We are committed to remaining by his side as a family for our champion, who we love immensely.”
Master P backed down on his comments about Odom and Kobe Bryant. Rapper Master P ignited a firestorm last week when he suggested that Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, who rushed to visit Odom in the hospital shortly after the brothel incident, could have done something to save Lamar and could get Odom back on the Lakers. Bryant responded with a thinly veiled message on Twitter stating, “When WE feel the need to question the support of others in moments as critical as a life hanging in the balance, then we must question the kind of culture we have created that has led US to such insensitive suspicion.”
The rapper now appears to have blinked over the weekend, posting on Instagram, “There’s a man in the hospital fighting for his life right now. My opinion doesn’t matter at this time and I am man enough to admit it.”
Odom’s belongings were stolen from the brothel he was visiting. While medical improvements and social-media truces have marked the past few days, not all Odom-related developments have been positive. As reported Monday, an unknown thief entered Odom’s suite while the former NBA star was unconscious, stealing his cell phone and belongings.
Khloe Kardashian’s family returned to Las Vegas to support Odom. As reported by Entertainment Tonight, Kendall Jenner, Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian flew from Los Angeles to Las Vegas on Saturday to join Khloe Kardashian in supporting Odom’s recovery. Kim Kardashian later posted of the visit on Instagram, “Lammy, I’m so happy Kendall and I could make you smile today! God is good!”