Gobert Posts Double-Double For Jazz As Lakers Lose 109-82
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rudy Gobert had 18 points, 18 rebounds and five blocked shots, helping the Utah Jazz cruise to a 109-82 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.
The Jazz used a 26-5 spurt in the first quarter, including three baskets by Trey Burke, to run away with the game. The Lakers' last lead came at 7-4.
Gobert recorded his first double-double since returning from an MCL injury. The points and rebounds were season highs.
Gordon Hayward added 14 points for Utah, and Trey Lyles finished with 17 points and nine rebounds. Trey Burke scored 16 points.
Lou Williams led the Lakers with 20 points and D'Angelo Russell added 13. Kobe Bryant played 15 minutes and scored five points.
The Jazz broke a two-game losing streak.
The Lakers have lost six of seven since a season-high three-game win streak.
TIP-INS
Lakers: Bryant passed John Stockton for seventh on the NBA career minutes list. ... Larry Nance, Jr. left in the first quarter with a sore right knee. ... The Lakers shot just 34.4 percent from the field.
Jazz: Trevor Booker (concussion) and Derrick Favors (back) did not play. Favors missed his 13th straight game. The Jazz played stretches with no power forward or with 7-foot Jeff Withey alongside the 7-1 Gobert. ... The Jazz signed 6-7 forward JJ O'Brien to a 10-day contract. ... The Jazz scored at least 28 points in the first three quarters.
FATHER TIME, UNDEFEATED
Bryant revealed Saturday that he is removing himself from consideration for a spot on the U.S. team that will compete at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics this summer, meaning the five-time NBA champion's retirement begins officially when his 20th and final season with the Lakers ends.
Bryant also talked about his body not being able to keep up with his mind before the game.
"It's strange," Bryant said. "If I could describe it, it's like you don't have the energy in the legs that you used to have. That's the best way to describe it. It's the energy, it's the explosiveness, it's the continual motor. Those things are always taken for granted. I could run at a high speed and play hard for the entire game. Now I can run all day from a stamina perspective, but the legs don't have the same amount of energy so you find that you're having to figure other things out. That's the thing."
UP NEXT
Lakers: Host the Rockets on Sunday.
Jazz: Travel to face the Hornets on Monday.
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