Lakers Lose in Bryant’s Return to Court
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Doug Pensinger/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — Kobe Bryant’s return to action was dampened by Los Angeles’ 106-94 home loss to Toronto on Sunday night. The 35-year-old made his season debut at the Staples Center after sitting out following a torn Achilles tendon in April.
Bryant had nine points and eight rebounds in his first game since the injury occured on April 12, but he also had eight turnovers.
“The biggest thing for me was just trying to take care of the basketball,” said Bryant after the game, giving himself an “F” for his performance. “My rhythm is completely out of sync in terms of being able to read passing lanes and judge the timing of players in between those lanes and so forth.”
The game marked the beginning of his 18th season in the NBA and the first under his new two-year, $48.5 million contract extension he signed in November. With the loss, the Lakers fell to 10-10 on the season. The team has lost two of their last three games.
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