Roy Hibbert’s reunion is in Kobe Bryant’s shadow as Lakers lose to Pacers

On the night Kobe Bryant announced that he will be retiring at the end of the season, Lakers center Roy Hibbert was having his own special moment.

But Hibbert playing against his former Indiana Pacers team Sunday night at Staples Center did nothing to stop nearly every thought and conversation from being about Bryant, who wrote a letter on The Players’ Tribune on Sunday stating that his 20th season will be his last.

Hibbert and the rest of the Lakers had to carry on under Bryant’s immense cloud, something they have had to do all season.

The Lakers lost again, 107-103 to the Pacers, coming up short after trimming a 22-point deficit to one point on a Bryant three-pointer with 12 seconds left.

Jordan Clarkson (22 points), Nick Young (22) and Julius Randle (11 points, 12 rebounds) were the best thing the Lakers had on offense.

Hibbert had a decent showing with eight points and nine rebounds while facing his old teammates, his old friends, his old team that didn’t want him any more after seven years of service with the Pacers.

The strong hints after the team’s end-of-season interviews from president Larry Bird and Coach Frank Vogel were that Hibbert wouldn’t be guaranteed a starting spot in the lineup in the future.

Still, Hibbert exercised his player option for $15.6 million, knowing that his days in Indiana were coming to a close.

In need of a center, the Lakers acquired Hibbert during the summer for a low second-round draft pick. In need of a new start, Hibbert even gave up most of his $2.2-million trade kicker to get out of town.

So Hibbert got to face a Pacers group that is one of the surprise teams in the NBA as it has jumped out to an 11-5 start, the second-best record in the Eastern Conference.

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Lakers star forward Kobe Bryant waves to fans during warmups before a game against the Pacers.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers star Kobe Bryant works up a sweat during pregame warmups agains the Indiana Pacers Sunday night.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers forward Metta World Peace battles Pacers center Jordan Hill under the basket during the first half.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers star Kobe Bryant announced his decision to retire after the season on Sunday.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers forward Kobe Bryant screams out for a foul as he misses a jump shot over Pacers forward Paul George during first half action.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Kobe Bryant catches his breath during a break in the action against the Pacers.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers star Kobe Bryant stands for the national anthem before a game against the Pacers.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers guard Kobe Bryant drives past Pacers forward Paul George during a game on Nov. 29.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Lakers forward Kobe Bryant walks off the court with teammates during a timeout Sunday.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Kobe Bryant rests on the bench before a game against the Pacers at Staples Center.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Kobe Bryant is given a pat of support from teammate Jordan Clarkson after they teamed up on a play against the Pacers.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Kobe Bryant before Sunday night’s game against the Pacers at Staples Center.

  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

On Sunday, Indiana wore its Hickory High alternate uniforms made famous in “Hoosiers” movie.

His Lakers team is one of the worst in the league, their 2-14 start being the worst in franchise history going into December.

Even the 1957-58 Minneapolis Lakers were at least 3-15 before the start of December.

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Twitter: @BA_Turner