SAN DIEGO: Kobe Bryant had 13 points and five assists while playing 21 minutes as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Denver Nuggets 98-95 in a preseason game Monday night.

Bryant — back after missing 76 games last season, including the final 57 due to a fractured left knee — shot 5 for 12 from the field.

Steve Nash, another Lakers veteran rebounding from injuries, had 11 points and five assists in 20 minutes. Jordan Clarkson led Los Angeles with 14 points.

Ty Lawson scored 14 points to lead Denver.

Bryant missed two of his first three shots, including his first attempt, a 15-footer which just grazed the net. However, he moved easily and had little trouble creating separation from defenders on his shot.

The Nuggets led 54-51 at halftime.

Celtics beat 76ers 98-78 in exhibition debut

In Bosston, Evan Turner and Brandon Bass scored 15 points apiece, and the Boston Celtics outscored the Philadelphia 76ers 21-5 over the first 7 ½ minutes of the fourth quarter in a 98-78 victory Monday night in the preseason opener for both teams.

Turner, who signed a two-year contract with the Celtics during the offseason, also had 10 rebounds and six assists, while Bass pulled down eight boards.

Philadelphia rookie center Nerlens Noel, the No. 6 pick in the 2013 draft, finally made his pro debut after missing last season with knee surgery. He started and had four points and six rebounds in 27 minutes. He was 2 for 9 from the floor and fouled out with 4:28 left. He also picked up a technical foul in the fourth quarter.

Jenkins, Hawks hold off Pelicans, 93-87

In Atlanta, John Jenkins scored 13 points, making a 3-pointer with less than 2 minutes remaining to help stop New Orleans’ comeback, and Atlanta beat the Pelicans 93-87 on Monday night in the Hawks’ preseason opener.

Ryan Anderson had 14 points for the Pelicans, who trailed 78-63 after three periods before trimming the deficit to 86-83. Jrue Holiday had 13 points and Eric Gordon added 12 for New Orleans.

Mike Scott and Jeff Teague each had 11 points for Atlanta.

Atlanta’s offseason was marred by the racially charged comments by co-owner Bruce Levenson, who is selling his majority share of the team, and general manager Danny Ferry, who has taken an indefinite leave of absence.

There was no apparent reaction to the controversy from fans at the game.

In Chicago, Glen Rice scored 18 points, Marcin Gortat had 13 points and 10 rebounds, and the Washington Wizards beat the Chicago Bulls 85-81 on Monday night in the preseason opener for both teams.

Chicago’s Joakim Noah and Wizards newcomer Paul Pierce exchanged minor shoves in the game, Derrick Rose’s first in his latest return to NBA action.

Rose, working his way back from two major knee injuries that limited him to 10 games the previous two seasons, had 11 points in 14 first-half minutes for the Bulls. He did not play in the second half.

Bradley Beal added 11 points for the Wizards.