WATCH: Fil-Am Jordan Clarkson scores 14 in Lakers debut

MANILA, Philippines – While Lakers fans tuned in eagerly to see what kind of rust there may be on Kobe Bryant, they were treated to a Lake Show by rookie Jordan Clarkson. 

Clarkson, a Filipino-American player from San Antonio, Tex., lit up the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego in his pre-season debut for 14 points and 5 rebounds in 27 minutes as Los Angeles defeated the Denver Nuggets 98-95 on Tuesday, October 7. 

Clarkson was selected no. 46 overall by the Lakers out of University of Missouri after LA acquired the rights to the second round pick from the Washington Wizards for cash considerations. It was a move that Bryant called “a steal of a pick.” 

Clarkson hit a pair of threes but his biggest highlight of the night was a one-hand dunk off a fast break. An attempt to replicate the play later on resulted in him being rejected by Nuggets power forward Jerrelle Benimon.

Those highlights overshadowed an otherwise poor shooting night which saw him hit 3-13 from the field.

Bryant, 36, who was limited to just six games last season after suffering a torn Achilles and a fracture in his left knee, air-balled his first shot before sinking his next jumper. Bryant finished with 13 points in his first game since December 17, 2013.

Two-time MVP Steve Nash, who himself had dealt with back and leg issues last season, scored 11 and dished out five assists in 20 minutes while new Laker Jeremy Lin shot 0-6 from the field but had 10 assists in 28 minutes.

The Lakers will play 7 more preseason games before opening up the regular season on October 28 against the Houston Rockets at home.

The Lakers are hoping to bounce back from a 27-55 record last season, earning their worst winning percentage since the team moved to Los Angeles. – Rappler.com