Lakers’ week in review

The Lakers split a pair of preseason games against the Utah Jazz while trying to get healthy before the team’s Oct. 28 regular season opener against the Houston Rockets.

After badly losing two straight to the Golden State Warriors last week, the Lakers looked overwhelmed.

Golden State projects to be a contender in the Western Conference, but were the Lakers just tired from a heavy workload in training camp or just terrible?

The Lakers didn’t look any better in a poor exhibition, falling to the Jazz on Thursday, 119-186. The team’s issues may be not be minor this season, but injuries certainly played a part.

Jeremy Lin, who could start at point guard for the team this season over the 40-year-old Steve Nash, sprained his ankle and wasn’t available against Utah.

Nash has struggled with back, hamstring and knee injuries since joining the Lakers. After a strong training camp, Nash found back issues started to flare up again.

The veteran point guard hasn’t played since last week, after leaving early from the Lakers loss to the Warriors.

Complicating matters for the Lakers, Lin sprained his other ankle while rehabbing his original injury. The new Laker is hoping to take a sane approach to his opportunity with the team.

The Lakers had also hoped to get Ryan Kelly back from a hamstring strain, but like Lin, he injured the opposite hamstring while pushing to make a return.

Xavier Henry, who has missed all of the preseason while recovering from knee surgery, had a setback as well. His status is unclear as he travels to New York for a second opinion on his knee, followed by a trip to Germany for treatment.

Coach Byron Scott urged his players to weather the storm by improving on the defensive side of the game.

Scott also noted that he isn’t a fan of his team shooting too many three-point attempts.

Kobe Bryant delivered a strong performance on Sunday, helping the Lakers come back from a 22-point deficit to beat the Jazz, 98-91.

The team’s All-Star bristled at the notion players should take below market value. ESPN.com ranked Bryant as the NBA’s 40th-best player.

Finally, gambling website Bovada gave Bryant 30-1 odds of winning the NBA’s most valuable player award this season.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.