Advertisement

Shaq Leads Another Easy Victory

Share

The Lakers completed the Hawaii portion of their training camp Saturday night with a second consecutive victory over the Denver Nuggets, 105-96, in Honolulu as Shaquille O’Neal had 27 points and 15 rebounds and rookie Derek Fisher scored 13 of his 14 points in the second half.

The Lakers have today off for travel back to the mainland, giving them only what amounts to a long layover in Los Angeles. Wednesday, they play the Dallas Mavericks at Fresno.

“We haven’t played terrifically well, but I know what our potential is,” Coach Del Harris said. “It’s just a journey we’re beginning, that’s all.”

Advertisement

LaPhonso Ellis led the Nuggets with 16 points and 13 rebounds.

*

Kobe Bryant, limited to partial workouts while recovering from a fractured wrist, will be examined Monday in Los Angeles by team physician Dr. Steve Lombardo before a determination is made whether the teenage sensation can join in contact drills and scrimmages. Later that day at the Forum is a possibility, but so is a delay.

“It seems to be healing normally,” trainer Gary Vitti said.

*

Travis Knight, the 7-foot rookie who will make the team in some form, either on the active roster or the injured list, missed the game with a sprained left ankle. He is day-to-day. . . . Maybe the Lakers didn’t lose much after all when Kenny Smith, the starting point guard when the Rockets won back-to-back championships, decided to take a minimum contract in Detroit instead of Los Angeles. Smith showed up to Piston camp out of shape and could end up behind less heralded Litterial Green on the depth chart. Meanwhile, Rumeal Robinson, left as the lone applicant in Laker camp for the job of veteran backup to Nick Van Exel, played well during the nine days in Hawaii.

Advertisement