NEW YORK - Kobe Bryant scored 18 points, his highest performance since opening night, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the winless Brooklyn Nets 104-98 on Friday night for their first victory of the season.
Rookie D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson each scored 16 points for the Lakers (1-4), while the Nets dropped to 0-6.
The Lakers' 11-point lead was down to three in the final half-minute but they forced a 5-second violation on an inbounds pass. Bryant then made four straight free throws for a 102-95 lead while receiving loud cheers, as he did all night.
Brook Lopez had 23 points and 10 rebounds for the Nets, while Joe Johnson scored 22 points.