Los Angeles Lakers Team Report - January 31

(Basketball News) - The Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves, 97-84, on Friday at the Staples Center.

The Lakers placed All-Star guard Kobe Bryant on the injured list before the game after he suffered a laceration on his right index finger that required stitches. Bryant was reportedly injured while moving boxes.

In Bryant’s place, Kareem Rush scored 17 with seven rebounds and four assists in the loss, but Los Angeles had a two-game win streak snapped. Shaquille O’Neal, in his second game back after missing 12 with a strained right calf, scored 22 with nine rebounds in 37 minutes.

Latrell Sprewell led the Timberwolves comeback with eight points during a 15-1 run, including a bucket that gave Minnesota a 59-57 lead with 2:37 remaining in the third quarter.

The teams see-sawed after that until a 10-2 run in the fourth quarter, capped by a pair of Sam Cassell free throws with 5:00 left, gave the Timberwolves an 82-75 lead.

Minnesota went ahead 90-80 on two free throws by Sprewell with 2:47 to play, and the Lakers never threatened after that.

Rick Fox played seven minutes and didn’t score in his second game since returning from the injured list after off-season foot surgery. The Lakers are still without forward Karl Malone, whose right knee injury is expected to keep him sideline until at least mid-March.

O’Neal has averaged 14.5 points and seven rebounds in the two games since returning from his injury.

The Lakers are off until Sunday when they start a seven game road trip in Toronto against Vince Carter and the Raptors.