LOS ANGELES, (Reuters) – Kobe Bryant showed no signs of injury as the 11-times All Star guard lit up the scoreboard for 40 points in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 106-93 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.
Bryant, who struggled with an injured leg during the Lakers’ loss to the Houston Rockets on Sunday, posted the 100th 40-point performance of his career.
“I did therapy around the clock just trying to get as healthy as I can to be productive,” Bryant told reporters after notching 40 points for the fourth time this season.
“It’s a great feeling to think about where I started coming here at 17-years-old, to where we are today.”
Will Bynum scored a team-high 24 points for the Pistons, who cut into a 25-point deficit in the fourth quarter to close the gap to 98-91 with 1:54 left in the game.
Detroit (5-6) played without injured starters Richard Hamilton (ankle) and Tayshaun Prince (back).
Last season’s champions Los Angeles had endured consecutive losses coming into the game.
Bryant, who was held below 20 points in consecutive games and was shooting just 32 percent in his last two, shook off a 1-for-6 start against Detroit and scored 13 points in the second where his team took a 57-42 halftime lead.
Bryant finished 17-for-29 from the field and added five rebounds and five assists. Andrew Bynum put up 17 points and 12 boards as the Lakers (8-3) avoided losing three in a row for the first time since Feb. 1, 2008.
The Lakers are sill awaiting for the return of 7-footer Pau Gasol, who could be back on Thursday against the Chicago Bulls.
“I can’t wait,” said Andrew Bynum, after Gasol indicated he would decide whether to come back pending how he felt in yesterday’s practice. “Our rotation will be back to normal (when Gasol returns) and our second unit will be better.”