Bryant Rusty As Lakers Fall To Jazz In Preseason Opener
HAWAII (CBSLA.com) — Understandably, Kobe Bryant was a little rusty in his return to action during the Lakers preseason opener against the Jazz.
Bryant played the entire first quarter, shooting 1-5 from the field and tallying 5 points.
His first shot hit the top of the backboard, and his second shot hit the bottom of the net.
"I felt good. It felt good to get out there," Bryant said. "(My legs) feel strong, I didn't feel tired at all. It's just about getting the timing down."
Lou Williams led the Lakers with 14 points on 4-12 shooting, while Roy Hibbert grabbed 10 rebounds and added 3 points.
Julius Randle added 7 points and 7 rebounds, but shot poorly from the field, going 2-10.
Jazz forward Derrick Favors led all scorers with 16 points (7-15), although three other members of the Jazz also reached double figures.
The Jazz ended up winning the game 90-71, after the Lakers had a miserable 4th quarter, surrendering 33 points while only scoring 12.
DeAngelo Russell had the play of the day with a no-look pass that led a basket. WATCH
What a pass by D'Angelo Russell. https://t.co/KBuxykqTsZ
— NBA Legion (@MySportsLegion) October 5, 2015
Kobe called the D'Angelo Russell 3rd Q pass to Randle "ridiculous … his vision is astronomical. Not too many passers that can (do that)."
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) October 5, 2015
Russell scored 5 points and went 3-8 shooting from the field with 3 rebounds and 3 assists.
Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson had a very solid game, highlighted by a block of Jazz forward Gordon Heyward.
Jordan Clarkson doing work on both ends of the floor. #Lakers pic.twitter.com/mT9cJBhR1M
— Will Reeve (@WillReeveJr) October 5, 2015
The Lakers will play the Jazz again in Hawaii on Tuesday at 9 p.m. PT.
Larry Nance Jr., Metta World Peace, Robert Upshaw, Marcelo Huertas and Jonathan Holmes all did not play in the preseason opener.
