Kobe Plays First Preseason Lakers Game

By Stephen M. Silverman

Friday October 24, 2003 10:14 AM EDT

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Yahoo Buzz
• E-mail

Amid a smattering of boos, but mostly cheers, Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant made his preseason debut Thursday, three days after being ordered to stand trial on charges that he sexually assaulted a 19-year-old woman in Colorado in June.

According to reports, Bryant received a thunderous ovation from the crowd but could not prevent the Lakers from going down 107-101 to the rival Los Angeles Clippers.

Still, as the "Today" show noted Friday, several people believe Bryant should sit out playing until his legal issues are resolved. NBA star Charles Barkley has been quoted as calling Bryant "a distraction" to the game.

On the court Thursday at Arrowhead Pond (home of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and about five minutes from Bryant's home), Bryant, paired for the first time with new teammates Gary Payton and Karl Malone, hit on a jumper early in the opening quarter as the Lakers went up 34-26, reports Reuters.

The Lakers led 64-59 at the half, but the Clippers sped ahead after that, leading 91-87 after three periods.

Bryant, 25, is due back in district court on Nov. 10 when he will enter a plea to the charges. (He claims sex with the accuser was consensual.) The high-profile case could go to trial next year.