Lakers point guard Ramon Sessions fouls Spurs point guard Tony Parker while fighting through a screen by power forward Tim Duncan in the first half Friday night in San Antonio. (Bahram Mark Sobhani / Associated Press / April 20, 2012)
By Mike Bresnahan
April 20, 2012, 9:10 p.m.
SAN ANTONIO — Kobe Bryant was back but the Lakers got thumped by the San Antonio Spurs, 121-97, on Friday night at AT&T Center.
Bryant missed seven games because of a sore left shin but he wasn’t the problem Friday.
The Lakers’ defense was shoddy at best, allowing San Antonio to shoot 61% from the field. Their offense was pretty shoddy too.
PHOTOS: Lakers vs. Spurs
Ramon Sessions had his worst game with the Lakers, missing seven of nine shots and scoring only five points with one assist. Pau Gasol was pretty much a no-show, scoring 11 points on four-for-10 shooting. Andrew Bynum had 17 points but only two rebounds in 30 minutes.
Bryant had 18 points in 30 minutes, making seven of 12 shots as the Lakers’ lead over the Clippers fell to half a game in the push for third place in the Western Conference.
Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 21 points while Tony Parkerhad 20 points and 10 assists. Manu Ginobilihad 20 points, seven assists and six rebounds as the Spurs won the season series with the Lakers, 2-1.
The Lakers have two regular-season games remaining: Sunday at home against Oklahoma City and Thursday at Sacramento.
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With Kobe Bryant back, Lakers thumped by San Antonio, 121-97
