Lakers roll past the Thunder, 101-85

The Lakers drubbed the Oklahoma City Thunder, 101-85, this evening at Staples Center.

Kobe Bryant had 26 points, including a pair of difficult-to-fathom shots that delighted the crowd.

Pau Gasol, in his second game back from a hamstring injury, had 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Andrew Bynum had 25 points on nine-for-11 shooting.

The shot of the game, if not the month, happened with 2:01 left in the first quarter. Bryant was being pushed to the baseline by Thunder rookie James Harden, so he shot from behind the basket at an impossible angle. The ball went over the backboard and through the hoop, leading to a burst of noise from the crowd.

For good measure, Bryant picked up a loose ball in the final seconds of the first quarter and scored on a hurried 15-foot fling.

-- MIke Bresnahan

Photo: Lakers guard Kobe Bryant pulls up for a shot over Thunder guard James Harden -- and the backboard. The shot went in. Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times

Lakers' Pau Gasol says he'll play Thursday against Bulls

Pau Gasol, who missed the first 11 regular-season games with a strained right hamstring, said after practice today that he will play Thursday night.

Gasol had a good practice and said he felt comfortable enough to play against the Chicago Bulls at Staples Center.

Gasol has missed a little over five weeks with the injury, which he sustained during training camp.

When asked if he was a go for Thursday night's game, Gasol responded:

"I really hope so. I really do. I think that I'll be able to go tomorrow. It felt great today."

Gasol said  he is concerned about his conditioning and wasn't sure how many minutes he would play.

"I'd be happy if he played 25," Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said about the minutes he expects to play Gasol.

-- Broderick Turner

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Photo: Pau Gasol. : Credit: Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images

VIDEO: Pau Gasol on 'CSI: Miami'

 

 

Lakers forward Pau Gasol guest stars on tonight's episode of "CSI: Miami," which airs on CBS at 10 p.m. PT.

As you can see in the above video highlight, Gasol is not the most natural actor in the world. But he wasn't hired for his acting abilities; CBS is hoping to get Lakers fans to tune in.

What a cheap bid for viewers. It would be like us writing a blog post on Pau Gasol being on TV in an attempt to get cheap page views. We would never stoop that low.

-- Houston Mitchell

Lakers' Bynum doubtful for Friday's game, Gasol does some work at practice

Lakers center Andrew Bynum is doubtful for Friday's game against Memphis after an MRI exam today showed a strained right elbow.

Bynum was injured when he was fouled across the arm by center Chuck Hayes in overtime of the Lakers' 103-102 victory Wednesday against Houston.

Bynum said he was relieved that the injury wasn't "too serious." He had better range of motion this afternoon after being unable to use his right arm while getting dressed after Wednesday night's game.

He said he wasn't sure if he would play Sunday against New Orleans.

Pau Gasol, who has missed five games because of a strained right hamstring, did some practice work with the team this afternoon, though he said he was "very doubtful" for Friday's game.

Gasol did not take part in any contact drills today, nor did he take part in a scrimmage for the second half of practice. He did some walk-through work on offense and shot by himself

If Bynum and Gasol cannot play Friday, DJ Mbenga would probably get the start at center against rugged Grizzlies center Marc Gasol. Going with a small lineup, and Lamar Odom at center, is also a possibility.

-- Mike Bresnahan

Photo: Andrew Bynum, center, dunks during a game against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. Credit: Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times

Lakers' Pau Gasol to miss Friday's game

Lakers forward Pau Gasol missed practice again today because of his strained right hamstring and the team said that Gasol also will not play in Friday night's game against the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center.

However, the Lakers said they hope Gasol will be able to play Sunday, in the team's third game of the season, when they host the Atlanta Hawks.

Gasol has been bothered by the hamstring injury for more than two weeks and he missed the Lakers' last six exhibition games.

-- Broderick Turner

Lakers vs. Nuggets: Denver defeats Lakers, 119-105

 

The game got so out of control in the first half that Lakers Coach Phil Jackson didn't play Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher in the second half of a 119-105 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday night at the San Diego Sports Arena.

Bryant played 10 minutes and Fisher played nine minutes. Each guard scored six points.

Denver didn't play Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups.

The Lakers finished the exhibition season with a 6-2 record. They open the regular season Tuesday night at Staples Center against the Clippers.

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One would think after the replacement officials called five technical fouls and two flagrant fouls in the first half that both the Lakers and Denver Nuggets would cool out in the second half.

But Nooooo!

Leave it to reserve Malik Allen to get called for a technical foul in the third quarter.

Malik Allen!

Please.

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Things got a little out of control in the second quarter tonight between the Lakers and Denver Nuggets, forcing the replacement officials to earn their paychecks in this exhibition game.

The three referees called three technical fouls in the second quarter, five in the first half.

Still the exhibition season? Looks like it

No Pau Gasol, no Luke Walton, and no increase in minutes for any of the Lakers regulars ... yet.

Gasol and Walton will sit out tonight's exhibition game in Las Vegas against Sacramento because of minor injuries, just a couple of the indicators that this isn't quite the regular season.

Gasol has a strained right hamstring and Walton a sore back.

Meanwhile, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said he wasn't going to start increasing the playing time of the starters until next week's exhibition action.

Kobe Bryant and Ron Artest are averaging only 24 minutes in two exhibition games. Gasol was averaging only 20 minutes a game, as was Lamar Odom.

Injured Lakers might not play in exhibition

Lakers forwards Pau Gasol and Luke Walton are doubtful for Thursday’s exhibition game against Sacramento, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said today.

Gasol has been sidelined by a strained right hamstring, and Walton has been bothered by a sore back, though both will travel to Las Vegas with the team today.

Neither injury is considered serious. Walton said he was “feeling a lot better.” The Lakers are 1-1 in exhibition games, with six more to play before the regular season begins Oct. 27 against the Clippers.

-- Mike Bresnahan

Bryant, Gasol jerseys among top three in European sales

Replicas of the jerseys worn by Lakers stars Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol were among the three best-selling NBA jerseys in Europe last season, NBA Europe announced today in London.

For the second consecutive year, Bryant had the most popular jersey in Europe, ahead of Boston's Kevin Garnett. Bryant, who won his fourth NBA championship with the Lakers in June, also has the most popular jersey in the United States.

Gasol, who is from Barcelona, Spain, had the third-most popular jersey in Europe. Cleveland's LeBron James was fourth and Miami's Dwayne Wade was fifth.

The rankings are based on sales from retail locations across Europe from last season.

-- Broderick Turner

Gasol says finger injury 'isn't serious'

The Lakers' Pau Gasol, who had surgery on the index finger of his left hand Monday after suffering an injury practicing with the Spanish national team, said today that he was hoping to be ready to play in the European championships, which begin Sept. 7.

"I am not overly worried as it isn't a very serious injury and in three weeks I expect to be back doing practically everything," Gasol said at a news conference today, Reuters reported. Gasol injured a ligament in the finger.

"I have explained the situation to the Lakers, and they have the results. They aren't pleased I am injured, but I don't think they'll put obstacles in my way.

"I am making sure the lines of communication with them are open and clear and hope I won't have to travel over there. My wish is to be with the team and to enjoy Eurobasket."

Gasol shot 56.7% from the field for the Lakers last season, averaging 18.9 points and 9.6 rebounds. During the playoffs, including their victory over Orlando in the NBA Finals, he shot 57.9% and averaged 18.3 points and 10.8 rebounds.

-- Mike James

Photo: Lakers center Pau Gasol arrives for a news conference in Cadiz, Spain, where he's been working out with Spain's national team. Credit: Roman Rios / EPA