Los Angeles Lakers Team Report - January 29

(Basketball News) - Shaquille O’Neal returned to the lineup for the Lakers and he helped them to a 96-82 win over the Seattle SuperSonics at the Staples Center.

O’Neal, who had been sidelined 12 games with a strained right calf, played just 18 minutes and scored seven points with five rebounds. He saw about nine minutes in each half. The Lakers struggled in O’Neal’s absence, going just 5-7.

Rick Fox, making his season debut after off-season foot surgery, scored two points in eight minutes.

Former Sonic Gary Payton tied a season-high with 24 points in the winning effort.

Derek Fisher had 11 points and stepped up his defense with a career-high tying six steals, as the Lakers won their second straight on the heels of a three- game slide. Kobe Bryant added 14 points in the win.

The Lakers were once again without Karl Malone, who is now expected to be sidelined until mid-to-late March due to his knee injury. Malone’s knee was originally supposed to be healed by now.

Los Angeles has a day to rest before battling Minnesota Friday night. The Lakers begin a season-long seven game road trip Sunday in Toronto.