SACRAMENTO — Kobe Bryant scored 38 points with a right pinky that needs surgery some day, a fractured right index finger that needs another month to heal and a strained right elbow that went numb at the most inopportune time tonight.
Bryant managed to overcome his ailments and the Sacramento Kings. He sank two key 3-pointers in double overtime as the Lakers went out and redeemed themselves after their lackluster loss Friday to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Pau Gasol added 24 points and 11 rebounds. Shannon Brown had 15 points in a reserve role and Lamar Odom had 13 points and 15 rebounds.
Said Brown of Bryant: We know every time he’s going to do something crazy that you’re not going to see on a daily basis on another team. It’s almost become, like, second nature. We knew he was hurting. We were waiting for him to start shooting again.”