Mike Brown being introduced in 2011.

No word on a permanent replacement, but word is assistant coach Bernie Bickerstaff will coach the team in the interim. The Lakers start a six-game homestand at Staples Center tonight against the Golden St. Warriors.

Let the Phil Jackson rumors start to swirl!

The Lakers, who trailed most of the second half, overcame as much as a 10-point deficit to take control of the game in the final minute. Bryant hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:30 left giving the Lakers a 103-101 lead, which they never relinquished. The All-Star guard then hit a jump shot with 30 seconds left to seal the victory.

Bryant scored a season-high 31 points, to go along with eight assists and seven rebounds, leading another very balanced Laker attack, with six players in double-figures. Shaquille O’Neal scored 23 and grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds. Gary Payton scored 19 in his return to Milwaukee, and Karl Malone, despite shooting only 4-of-15 from the field, scored 11 points to go along with his 11 rebounds.

The Lakers led the game by as many as 12 in the first half. But poor free throw shooting and a barrage of Bucks 3-pointers put the Lakers in a second half hole that they barely were able to dig out of. A late 11-0 run in the 4th quarter was capped by an O’Neal dunk and free throw helping the Lakers remain undefeated at 4-0.

The Bucks were led by Michael Redd who tallied a game-high 36 points, including 5-of-7 from beyond the arc.

Link: LakerStats.com Box Score
Link: NBA.com Recap