Mamba back: Watch Kobe Bryant knock down his 1st shot in over 8 months

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 13: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts as he runs off the court after missing his three point attempt to tie the score as time ran out in the game against the Miami Heat at Staples Center on January 13, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. The Heat won 78-75. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers lost their first preseason game of 2015 to the Utah Jazz on Sunday night, but there was a sight for sore eyes that was bigger than the result. Kobe Bryant was back on the court -- starting at small forward, in fact, with D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson starting at the guard spots.

Bryant finished with just 5 points on 1-for-5 shooting in 12 minutes, but his one field goal was a triple from the corner that brought the crowd in Honolulu to its feet:

The last time Bryant made a basket in an NBA game before Sunday was January 21 against the Pelicans, when Bryant suffered the right shoulder injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the season.

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