"(Kobe)Bryant made it back from his criminal hearing in Colorado for most of the basketball game Friday night, ducking in between the first and second quarters to a standing ovation from fans that had held their breath since Kareem Rush was introduced with the Laker starters."

Bryant scored 13 points in 31 minutes and hit the game-winning shot at the buzzer to give the Los Angeles Lakers a 101-99 victory over the visiting Denver Nuggets.