Wed. 1/28 vs. Sonics - Results Inside - Postgame comments

Lakers vs. Seattle
Wednesday, Jan. 28
7:30 pm
TV: FSN, NBALP
Radio: KLAC-AM 570/KWKW-AM 1330
Recap | Box Score | Photos | Highlights

SuperSonics - 82
Lakers - 96

O'Neal Plays, Lakers Romp
Shaquille O'Neal returned to the lineup after missing 12 games because of injury and scored seven points and Gary Payton fired in a team-leading 24 to power the Lakers to a 96-82 win over the Sonics at STAPLES Center on Wednesday. Kobe Bryant added 14 points for Los Angeles, which outscored Seattle 25-12 in the fourth quarter.



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ahh revenge will be sooo sweet...i think kobe is gonna take this game personally...but not too personal...against RAY ALLEN...man its gonna be DOWN TO THA WIRE...not to mention payton facin his former team again...hopeuflly shaq is back for thsi one...or maybe we can still win without tha fat man

The Lakers will probably win. The last game between these teams was close, and that was on the road. Kobe, Fox, and Grant are back. But they must play hard, because a long trip away from home is coming up, so all the Staples games must be W's.

Sadly I'll dub thee this one with a "loss" tag on it...it sux to say this but the game is so undecided, whether or not Shaq is gonna return or not, that is so unclear and I don't know how our defense is going to be like especially since the Sonics rain threes everywhere and we're not exactly the best defenders of the three point line not even this year...but we've got to keep Ray "I think I'm so good because I can shoot threes consistently" Allen down...41 against the Clippers, and we need to mind his other men, Rashard Lewis and Brent Barry. Watch out for Antonio Daniels--that guy has been blazing backing Brent lately...maybe Kobe can keep this game away, but once again if we win the honors all go to him..I'd like to see a collaborated team effort before I dub this a win...but yes, how revenge is so sweet

Lakers 97
Sonics 105

i think we're gonna win..with kobe and shaq back..

and plus..payton will have his old home stadium advantage?..haha

You know this game is going to be a war. We lost Shaq against this team, and ironically we could have him against this team... Payton will want to tear his old team up again, and Kobe will also want to finish the job on them.

The last game against Seattle was one of the best of the season, this one should be a real good one.

Plus, the return of Fox could come this night as well!

yea that is weird shaq got injured against this team...and then he might come back against tha same team...very ironic

"Isn't it ironic?" Now I can't get that song out of my head.

If Shaq comes back, a Lakers win will be even more likely. We'll have the big guy back to block shots, rebound, and score some points in the paint. Not only will GP stick it to his old team, but MDE will have revenge on his mind as well.

The last time the Lakers lost against the Sonics, thats when the loosing streak began. Now, our team is putting themselves back together. Like what FabFour said... Revenge can be soo sweet...

i don't think shaq is coming back...is he?..but aanywayz..we're gonna kick their butts..hahaha..we're gonna win

SONICS-LAKERS RE-GROUP: PAYTON WILL GET EVEN AT HOMECOURT
See you at the Game!


Shaq will not play till friday against T-WOLVES.
source: Healthsouth,El Segundo,Ca.

i heard kobe is PROBABLE for tha game...his shoulder is hurting again...if i were the lakers i'd let kobe sit this game and let payton take it to his old team...thatd be classic...but i really wanna see kobe vs allen

he didn't practice yesterday, but I don't see anything preventing him from playing against the Sonics

So in a nutshell:

Shaq is not going to play this game, but supposobly the next.
Kobe is probable due to his shoulder soreness
Fox WILL return to the court for the first time this season!

Should be an interesting game...

Injury Report
• Updated 1/27/04 22:35

Injured Reserve:
-Brian Cook
-Karl Malone

Fox: Games missed: 49 - Ankle surgery. Fox expects to play Wednesday. PJ says its possible he will play Wednesday because of match up issues with the Sonics.

Shaq: Games missed: 12 - Sore calf. Had a light practice Tuesday and said he felt better. Will be re-examined Wednesday morning. Shaq would like to get one full contact practice in before returning. Could play Wednesday against the Sonics, but most likely will wait till Friday against the T'pups.

Sampson: Games missed: 3 - MRI taken Monday on Jamal Sampson's right ankle revealed nothing more serious than a sprain. Black said Sampson probably won't play until next Sunday at the earliest.

Malone: Games missed: 16 - Per his agent, its a torn MCL. Team says its a strained MCL. A recent MRI shows there is still some swelling but its less than before. Will not be re-evaluated until after the ASG. Return sometime after the ASG.

Cook: Games missed: 2 - Fractured right pinkie finger. Will be out 4-6 weeks, which puts it sometime in March.

Source

LAKERS WIN 105 - 91

I am so excited for this game it's insane. Lakers haven't played since Saturday night and Foxy may be back. Win or lose it's still going to be interesting.

We're going to win this one if Kobe and Fox play.

Thanks for the injury update, LD2000. I think this will be a great game, especially for Fox. The home crowd will give him a HUGE standing ovation! I hope we get the victory for Rick.

Just In: SHAQ WILL PLAY TONIGHT

Whatever the lakers need shaq whether he plays 10 minutes or 40 they have been missing him for along time. Finally he is back....

Fox Will Also Play Tonight for sure...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1721279

Finally Shaq chooses to come back tonight to play...thats great news to here...also guess what, Brent Barry was sidelined for six weeks and will miss tonight's game after undergoing surgery on his finger...too bad he has an above adequate replacement in Antonio Daniels..watch out for him 'cause we better guard him.

yAY!!

instant victory...or it should be

La wins by 10

Im eager to see Kobe again... I just LOVE his presence on the court. I also expect GP to have another big game, he really stepped up for us against the Jazz!

I will have player matchups up around an hour or so before the game, in case anyone was interested

They are JSM, your nightly matchup's are very thoughful!

Kobe, Fox, AND Shaq? Someone pinch me. Maybe they're not 100%, but so what. And think of how motivated Karl will be when he comes back, it must be killing him to be out for so long. Starting with tonight's game, I predict the Lakers will go on a winning streak.