LOS ANGELES (AP) Karl Malone sat at his locker, his 40-year-old knees wrapped in ice. He flashed a smile.

The Los Angeles Lakers had just played perhaps their best game of the season, and their most important one to date.

``We were due. We were just looking for a game like this,'' Malone said after the Lakers beat Sacramento 115-91 Wednesday night to move within 2{ games of the Western Conference-leading Kings. ``We're just trying to get comfortable together _ we're not talking about statement games.''

In any case, the Kings took note.

``They came out to send a message and they did that,'' Doug Christie said after the Kings' most lopsided loss of the season.

``They jumped on us. More energy. I don't know what to say,'' Peja Stojakovic said.

The Lakers (48-23) have won six straight and 10 of 12. They also moved within a half game of Minnesota and can overtake the Timberwolves (49-23) when the teams meet Friday night.

``I think the more we play with each other on the court, with the way we have been injured, the more we're going to get familiar with each other,'' Malone said.

The injuries began Dec. 21, when Malone tore a knee ligament while the Lakers were winning for the 20th time in 25 games. He had 11 points and seven rebounds against the Kings in his seventh game back after he missed 39.

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal also spent extensive time on the bench because of injuries, but that's a small part of the Lakers' story.

Even before Malone and Gary Payton joined the team in July, Bryant was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault. He was charged the day after a news conference was held introducing the two newcomers.

``Despite everything that we've gone through as a team, we're right there,'' Malone said. ``I don't think there's a team out there that really has been what we've been through all year _ constantly, every game the whole season.''

Bad feelings between O'Neal and Bryant surfaced shortly before the season. Both stars have spoken critically of coach Phil Jackson, and Bryant has said he plans to opt out of his contract this summer, leaving his future with the Lakers in question.

``I really don't think if it were perfect, we would have the record we've got,'' Malone said. ``It made us stronger as a team. The guys like each other and respect each other _ that's the main thing.''

Bryant had 36 points, six rebounds and six assists against the Kings after flying to and from Colorado and spending several hours in an Eagle County courtroom. He traveled back to Colorado for another hearing Thursday.

``Activity doesn't seem to bother him,'' Jackson said. ``He doesn't seem to need the serenity of his own surroundings to perform well.''

Bryant said he escapes on the court.

``Basketball's just like a getaway, it's been that way for me since I was 3,'' he said.

The Lakers play eight of their last 11 games at home while the Kings and Timberwolves each play six of their final 10 on the road.

The door, it appears, is open for the Lakers to accomplish what appeared unlikely as recently as a couple weeks ago _ first place in the West.

``We're right where we want to be,'' O'Neal said.