Kobe Bryant has a night to forget

Kobe Bryant was on court for just six minutes and two seconds as his Los Angeles Lakers were beaten 111-92 by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA pre-season game at the O2 Arena last night.

Shooting guard Bryant, still recovering from close season knee surgery, missed all three shots he attempted and after starting the game didn't return, much to the disappointment of his fans in London as they chanted his name in the fourth quarter with the reigning NBA champions struggling.

Timberwolves' Martell Webster and Michael Beasley scored 24 and 21 points respectively with Lamar Odom leading the Lakers on 17.

London hosts the first NBA regular-season games to be played in Europe on 4 and 5 March 2011 when the Toronto Raptors and New Jersey Nets play two games.