Plenty of excitement surrounded the Los Angeles Lakers preseason opener against the Utah Jazz on Sunday night at the Stan Sheriff Center in Hawaii, with the young backcourt of D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson, and of course, Kobe Bryant’s return since tearing his rotator cuff. Ultimately, the Lakers fell to the Jazz, 90-71, but we got a small glimpse into what this upcoming Lakers season could look like.
The starting line-up consisted of Russell, Clarkson, Kobe, Julius Randle and Roy Hibbert. Bryant played the entire first quarter, before heading to the bench and observing the final three, finishing with five points. Bryant’s limited minutes were by design, but Scott says he may increase them a bit for Tuesday’s game.
— What will Kobe Bryant make this season? Find out here! —
Lou Williams and Nick Young led the way for the Lakers with 14 and 10 points, respectively. Williams also added in four assists and four rebounds. Roy Hibbert lead the way defensively with 10 rebounds, while Russell finished with three assists and five points on 2-8 shooting.
In the videos below, Kobe Bryant has high words of praise for Russell and Randle, Scott talks about what the Lakers need to work on moving forward and Russell describes what it was like to play alongside Bryant.
[divide]Byron Scott: Lakers No Where ‘Even Close’ To Where They Need To Be
Kobe Bryant: D’Angelo Russell’s Vision Is ‘Astronomical,’ Julius Randle Is An ‘Animal’
D’Angelo Russell: Greatest Moment From His Debut