LOS ANGELES, Jan. 29 (UPI) -- Gary Payton scored 24 points Wednesday night and Shaquille O'Neal returned to the lineup as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated Seattle, 96-82.
It was the first action for O'Neal since straining his right calf at Seattle on Jan. 2.
He started Wednesday night, but played just 19 minutes -- making one of four shots from the field, scoring seven points and pulling down five rebounds.
The Lakers had only a one-point lead going into the fourth quarter before holding the SuperSonics to 12 points in the final period.
Kobe Bryant added 14 for the Lakers while Rashard Lewis paced the Sonics with 22.
Payton spent 12 1/2 seasons in Seattle, establishing himself as the best player in franchise history before being traded last season following a contract dispute.
