Lakers vs. Hawks

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is in pain after landing awkwardly when missing his final shot of the game against the Hawks on Wednesday night.  (John Bazemore / Associated Press)

Kobe Bryant gets a helping hand from Dwight Howard after after landing awkwardly following a shot and spraining his left ankle in the final seconds of a game against the Hawks.   (Curtis Compton / Associated Press)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant grimaces as he walks off the court after spraining his ankle in the final seconds of a game against the Hawks on Wednesday night in Atlanta.  (Erik S. Lesser / EPA)

Hawks center Al Horford drives to the basket against Lakers forward Metta World Peace in the second half Wednesday night.  (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)

Lakers center Dwight Howard tries to pull down a rebound against Hawks big men Al Horford (15) and Ivan Johnson (44) in the second half Wednesday night.  (John Bazemore / Associated Press)

Hawks forward Ivan Johnson reacts after forcing a turnover by Lakers forward Metta World Peace (15) in the second half Wednesday night.  (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)

Lakers guard Steve Nash lofts a hook shot over Hawks guard Shelvin Mack in the second half Wednesday night.  (John Bazemore / Associated Press)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant receives a pass as he works in the post against Hawks forward Dahntay Jones in the second half Wednesday night.  (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)

Lakers forward Metta World Peace drives down the lane for a layup against Hawks guard Kyle Korver in the second half Wednesday night.   (John Bazemore / Associated Press)

Lakers point guard Steve Nash tries to cut off a drive by Hawks point guard Devin Harris in the second half Wednesday night.  (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, who scored 20 of his 31 points in the third quarter, drives to the basket against Hawks forward Ivan Johnson in the second half Wednesday night.  (John Bazemore / Associated Press)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, defended by Hawks center Al Horford last season, has been sidelined with a torn Achilles’ tendon since April of last season but is on the All-Star ballot.  (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant reacts after falling to the court on a drive to the basket without a foul being called in the second half Wednesday night in Atlanta.  (John Bazemore / Associated Press)

Lakers center Dwight Howard and Hawks guard Shelvin Mack battle for a rebound in the second half Wednesday night.   (John Bazemore / Associated Press)

Lakers forward Metta World Peace tries to strip the ball from Hawks center Al Horford in the second half Wednesday night.  (Erik S. Lesser / EPA)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant reacts to a foul call in the first half Wednesday night in Atlanta.   (Curtis Compton / McClatchy-Tribune)

Lakers forward Metta World Peace splits the defense of Hawks center Al Horford and forward Ivan Johnson for a layup in the first half Wednesday night.  (Erik S. Lesser / EPA)

Lakers center Dwight Howard tries to drive against Hawks center Johan Petro in the first half Wednesday night in Atlanta.  (Erik S. Lesser / EPA)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has his shot challenged by Hawks forward Ivan Johnson in the first half Wednesday night.   (Curtis Compton / McClatchy-Tribune)

Lakers point guard Steve Nash tries to get around a screen by Hawks center Al Horford while playing defense on point guard Devin Harris in the first half Wednesday night.  (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant drives past Hawks forward Dahntay Jones in the first half Wednesday night.  (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)

Hawks guard Shelvin Mack fouls Lakers forward Earl Clark on a drive down the lane in the first half Wednesday evening.  (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)

Hawks guard Kyle Korver tries to block a shot by Lakers guard Jodie Meeks in the first half Wednesday night.  (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)

Lakers center Dwight Howard throws down a dunk against the Hawks in the first half Wednesday evening.   (John Bazemore / Associated Press)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant tries to cut off a drive by Hawks forward Dahntay Jones in the first half Wednesday night.  (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)

Lakers center Dwight Howard tries to score on a layup against Hawks center Johan Petro in the first half Wednesday night.  (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)

Hawks center Al Horford scores over the top of Lakers forward Antawn Jamison in the first half Wednesday night.  (John Bazemore / Associated Press)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant tries to get around Hawks forward Ivan Johnson in the first half Wednesday evening.  (John Bazemore / Associated Press)

Hawks forward Ivan Johnson scores on a reverse layup against Lakers center Dwight Howard in the first half Wednesday night.   (John Bazemore / Associated Press)

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant makes a pass over Hawks defenders in the first half Wednesday night.  (Erik S. Lesser / EPA)

Hawks center Al Horford scores on a dunk against the Lakers in the first half Wednesday.  (Erik S. Lesser / EPA)