PHOENIX (Ticker) -- Kobe Bryant is still working into game shape, but he helped the Los Angeles Lakers pick up their first road win.
In his season debut, Bryant made a pair of tie-breaking free throws with 66 seconds left and added a key defensive play in the final seconds as the Lakers held on for a 103-99 victory over the Phoenix Suns.
It was an eventful offseason for Bryant, who was charged with rape, had knee surgery and created a controversy by taking Shaquille O'Neal to task with some pointed comments. After missing the season opener due to the knee pain, Bryant was notably passive on offense, deferring to O'Neal, Gary Payton and Karl Malone.
In crunch time, Bryant was fouled by Penny Hardaway and converted his free throws for a 99-97 advantage. Shawn Marion missed a tying jumper for the Suns, but Malone threw away a pass to give Phoenix another chance.
After nearly turning the ball over, the Suns got it to Joe Johnson, who drove past O'Neal and went up for a tying jumper. Bryant leapt to contest it and the shot rimmed out.
Payton and Stephon Marbury traded a pair of free throws before Bryant left the door open by missing the second of two from the line with 10 seconds left. Amare Stoudemire was too strong on a 3-point attempt, Marion missed an ill-advised short follow shot and Malone sank a clinching free throw with two seconds to go.
Bryant received a mixed reaction from the America West Arena crowd, which had Lakers and Suns fans among them. He finished with 14 points on 4-of-12 shooting and six rebounds.
O'Neal collected 24 points and 12 rebounds.
