Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — Dwight Howard had 19 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots in his Lakers debut, but Los Angeles still dropped to 0-6 in the preseason when DeMarcus Cousins rallied the Sacramento Kings to a 99-92 victory on Sunday night.
The Lakers finally unveiled their new franchise center after Howard sat out the first five preseason games while exercising caution with his surgically repaired back. The six-time All-Star played 33 minutes and made five turnovers, overcoming six months of game rust with energy from the opening tip.
Kobe Bryant scored 21 points as the Lakers’ new starting five got its first game action together, playing down the stretch of a tight game against the Kings, who finished the game with 10 unanswered points.