Break up the Lakers. That’s two in a row.
These are unexpectedly fun days for them, with no illusion of a championship parade but snippets of hope for the future.
D’Angelo Russell continued to delight fans at Staples Center. Julius Randle added scoring to his typically productive board work. Jordan Clarkson was under the radar again, stealthily scoring 24 points in a 107-98 victory Tuesday over the Orlando Magic.
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Even lottery gazers could relax until further notice. The Lakers (14-51) still held the NBA’s second-worst record and remained four games behind the similarly surging Phoenix Suns in the standings.
The victory didn’t come with the drama of beating Golden State two days earlier but marked the first time Russell (27 points), Randle (23 points) and Clarkson each scored at least 20 in the same game.
“This is what we thought they could play like,” Lakers Coach Byron Scott said.
The future might not be now. Two games is a dangerously small sample size. Yet a corner might be getting turned, even if it isn’t the corner down Figueroa to the Coliseum in June.
“These two games, hopefully, if that’s any indication of how we can play for the rest of the season, I think we’ll all be pretty happy,” said Scott, who tried to tell players that the upset of Golden State should be forgotten.
He mentioned it after Monday’s practice. And at Tuesday morning’s shoot-around.
Message received.
Randle added 11 rebounds for his 28th double-double, most among second-year players. Rookie Larry Nance Jr. almost had one of his own, totaling eight points and 10 rebounds.
Russell hasn’t stopped elevating his game, creating his own shot with increasing ease and converting with added confidence.
“Experience is helping me see things clearer,” he said. “A lot of reads and stuff are coming more second nature to me. I just feel like I’m getting better as far as individual progress and knowing when I mess up.”
Russell, for the record, didn’t like talk of Lakers’ corner-turning.
“You guys all ask that really soon,” Russell said. “We’ve got to string some more wins together before we start going down that road.”
A longer trend continued Tuesday: Kobe Bryant didn’t play, extending his habit of sitting out home games in favor of road ones.
Since announcing his retirement, he has played 15 of 25 games (60%) at Staples Center and 24 of 25 games (96%) away from the arena. He skipped a game at Oklahoma City with the knowledge the Lakers would play there again next month.
Bryant’s right shoulder continues to be the reason listed for his absences at home games. He sat at the end of the bench Tuesday in a dark suit. There were cheers during scoreboard promos of his past great games during timeouts.
“Kobe, we love you!” shouted a fan in the second quarter during a lull in play.
Thursday’s game is right in Bryant’s wheelhouse despite being at home. It’s against Cleveland, providing one last chance to play against LeBron James, and it’s a TNT exclusive.
Scott said Bryant would be “50-50” for that game.
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Kobe Bryant leaves a news conference with a laugh after a game against the Thunder in Oklahoma City on April 11. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant hugs the Thunder’s Russell Westbrook after a game in Oklahoma City on April 11. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant waves to the crowd as he is introduced before a game against the Thunder in Oklahoma City on April 11. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant walks the hallway as he comes back out to the court during halftime against the Thunder in Oklahoma City on April 11. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant high-fives fans as he returns to the court during halftime against the Thunder in Oklahoma City on April 11. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Fans reach out to Kobe Bryant as he walks back onto the court during halftime against the Thunder in Oklahoma City on April 11. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant watches introductions from the bench before a game against the Thunder in Oklahoma City on April 11. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant laughs with teammates before a game against the Thunder in Oklahoma City on April 11. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Lakers Kobe Bryant leaves the Skirvin Hilton as fans take photographs and seek autograpghs beofre boarding the bus in Oklahoma City on Monday. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Fans wait for Lakers Kobe Bryant outside the Skirvin Hilton before he boards the bus in Oklahoma City. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant waves goodbye to fans after a game against the Rockets in Houston. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant has a little fun with Rockets star James Harden after the game in Houston. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant waves to the crowd as he leaves the court for the last time against the Rockets in Houston. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Former Rocket Hakeem Olajuwon and Lakers star Kobe Bryant greet each other after the game in Houston. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Lakers star Kobe Bryant is introduced for the last time before a game against the Rockets in Houston. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant talks on the phone in the locker room before a game against the Rockets in Houston. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant’s shoes sit in front of his locker before a game against the Rockets in Houston. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant checks his phone as he soaks his feet in a bucket of ice water before a game with the Rockets in Houston. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant and trainer Gary Vitti share a laugh in the locker room before a game against the Rockets in Houston. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant gets a massage from physical therapist Judy Seto before a game agiainst the Rockets in Houston. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant prepares for a game with the Rockets in the locker room as trainer Gary Vitti looks on in Houston. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Laker Kobe Bryant poses for a selfie with two Rockets fans during halftime in Houston. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Young pregame performers react as Kobe Bryant approaches before a game with the Rockets in Houston. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Laker Kobe Bryant, left, watches fans cheer as he walks to the court during a game with the Rockets in Houston. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Laker Kobe Bryant walks by a young Rockets fan as he makes his way to the court during halftime in Houston. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Laker Kobe Bryant receives a gift after a game against the Rockets in Houston. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Laker Kobe Bryant hugs security guard Salvatore Chillemi after a game against the Rockets in Houston. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Laker Kobe Bryant arrives on the team bus before a game against the Rockets in Houston. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant sits at his locker as he preapres for the Lakers’ game againstthe Pelicans in New Orleans. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Fans hold a ‘KOBE’ sign as the Lakers take the court at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Jason Jobert waits patiently with other fans for Lakers star Kobe Bryant in hopes of getting an autograph after the game in New Orleans. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Jonathan Aldy takes his son, 4-year-old Abel, to his first NBA game as the Lakers take the court for Kobe Bryant’s final game in New Orleans. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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The New Orleans mascot pays a visit toKobe Bryant as he warms up for the game against the Pelicans. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant laughs as he joins the huddle before taking the court against the host Pelicans. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant greets friends before the Lakers’ game against the Pelicans in New Orleans. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant waves goodbye to fans as the Lakers leave the court following their loss to the Pelicans in the future Hall-of-Famers final game in New Orleans. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant walks down a hallway at Smoothie King Center after the Lakers’ game against the Pelicans. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant sits on the Lakers’ bus before leaving the arena in New Orleans for the last time as a player. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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The Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade, left, and Kobe Bryant share a laugh after a game at Staples Center on March 30. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Fans hold signs as Kobe Bryant warms-up before a game with the Jazz in Salt Lake City on March 28. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant is all smiles as a video is played honoring him before a game with the Jazz in Salt Lake City on March 28. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant gets into the back of a private vehicle with his security team while leaving the arena in Phoenixon March 23. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant greets an excited young fan after a game with the Suns in Phoenix on March 23. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant signs a pair of shoes for a fan after a game against the Suns in Phoenix on March 23. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Former basketball legend Ann Myers hugs Lakers Kobe Bryant after a game against the Suns in Phoenix on March 23. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Lakers Kobe Bryant walks off the court for the last time after a game agianst the Suns in Phoenix on March 23. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant hugs Knicks Carmelo Anthony’s son, Kiyan, after the game at the Staples Center. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Lakers Kobe Bryant warms up outside the locker room before a game with the Knicks at the Staples Center. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Lakers Kobe Bryant laughs while stretching in the trainers room before a game with the Knicks at the Staples Center. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Lakers Kobe Bryant sits on the trainer’s table while going through a stretching exercise before a game with the Knicks at the Staples Center. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Lakers Kobe Bryant goes through a stretching exercise before a game with the Knicks at the Staples Center. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Lakers Kobe Bryant watches a track meet on television as he waits for guests to arrive in a private room befoe a game with the Knicks at the Staples Center. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Lakers Kobe Bryant looks at his phone as he waits for guests in a private room before a game with the Knicks at the Staples Center. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Lakers Kobe Bryant waits to be interviewed by radio personality Vic “The Brick” Jacobs in a private room at the Staples Center. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Lakers Kobe Bryant runs on to the court as fans try to reach out before a game with the Suns. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant and the Cavaliers LeBron James hug after the last time they faced each other on the court at Staples Center, March 10. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Lakers forward Kobe Bryant heads to the court for the last time in Denver before a game againstthe Nuggetson March 2, 2016. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Lakers fans watch Kobe Bryant warm up before a game againstthe Nuggets in Denver on March 2, 2016. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant, center, listens to the national anthem before his last game in Denver on March 2, 2016. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Lakers forward Kobe Bryant listens to the national anthem before hisfinal game in Denver on March 2, 2106. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant smiles as he leaves the courtafter his final game in Denver on March 2, 2016. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant prepares to sign an autograph for a fan at Pepsi Center after his last gamein Denver on March 2, 2016. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant listens to a reporter askhim if he will “shut it down” because of his injured right shoulder during a news conference in Denver on March 2, 2016. Bryant only played in the first half of a 117-107 loss to the Nuggets. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Lakers star Kobe Bryant walks through the Westin Hotel lobby beforea game against the Grizzlies in Memphis, Tenn., on Feb. 24, 2016. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Lakers reserve guard Lou Williams walks to the team’s bus as Kobe Bryant rides in a personal vehicle outside the Westin Hotel before theirgame against the Grizzlies in Memphis, Tenn., on Feb. 24, 2016. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Lakers star Kobe Bryant waves to a cheering crowd from a vehicle outside the Westin Hotel in Memphis, Tenn., beforea game against the Grizzlies on Feb. 24, 2016. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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A crowd cheers as Lakers star Kobe Bryant leaves the Westin Hotel in Memphis, Tenn., in a personal vehicle to head to the arena for a game against the Grizzlies on Feb. 24, 2016. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant talks to the media before the Lakers played the Grizzlies in Memphis, Tenn., on Feb. 24, 2016. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant, center, leaves FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn., for the last time as a Laker after a game against the Grizzlies on Feb. 24, 2016. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Lakers star Kobe Bryant and Grizzlies forward Vince Carter greet each other after a game in Memphis, Tenn., on Feb. 24, 2016. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Lakers forwardKobe Bryant gets a standing ovation from the crowd at Oracle Arena as he exits a game against the Warriors on Jan. 14, 2016. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Lakers forward Kobe Bryant stretches next to an ad at Oracle Arena in Oakland before a game against the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 14, 2016. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant heads to the Oracle Arena locker room after the Lakers lost the Warriors, 116-98, in his final game in Oakland on Jan. 14, 2016. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant wipes his face as he leaves the Sleep Train Arena locker room at halftime during a Lakers game against the Kings in Sacramento on Jan. 7, 2016. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant walks off the court to the locker room at halftime of a 118-115 loss to the Kings at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento on Jan. 7, 2016. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant hugs former Lakers teammateand current Warriors assistant coach Luke Walton after a game in Oakland on Jan. 14, 2016. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Kobe Bryant waves to the crowd at Oracle Arena while being introduced before the Lakers playedthe Warriors on Jan. 14, 2016. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
“It’s against one of his good friends,” he added. “He would love to play. I also think that he’s really using his better judgment and not trying to force the issue.”
Nick Young started in Bryant’s place Tuesday and went scoreless in 23 minutes, probably the Lakers’ lone poor stat line.
Victor Oladipo had 26 points for Orlando (27-36), which went without injured center Nik Vucevic.
Reality might return when Cleveland comes to town. The Lakers can smile until then, assuming they didn’t forget how.
Follow Mike Bresnahan on Facebook and Twitter @Mike_Bresnahan
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