Kobe Byrant scores 10 points in 11 minutes of play in first quarter

Kobe Bryant continued his strong start in exhibition play, scoring 10 points in 11 minutes of play in the first quarter against Golden State on Thursday night at Staples Center.

He started his night by elevating over Klay Thompson for a mid-range fadeaway from the left side. His next shot wasn’t so solid -- he barely hit the rim on another mid-range attempt, this one from the right side.

Then he made one of two free throws, followed by another one of two from the line after taking an offensive rebound and drawing a foul.

He followed that up with a seamless catch-and-shoot jumper near the free-throw line, and then, as if to remind everyone he wasn’t perfect, air-balled a long jumper.

Bryant, defended primarily by Andre Iguodala, then stole the ball from Stephen Curry and finished with a two-handed dunk at the other end. After that, he found Jeremy Lin for an easy transition basket before finishing with a jumper from the top of the key over Brandon Rush and a late-arriving Ognjen Kuzmic.

Bryant checked out with a little more than a minute left in the first quarter, and the Lakers trailed, 35-27, at the end of it.

Lin got the start instead of Steve Nash, who was held out so he could rest. Lin had seven points and an assist in the first quarter.