LAKERS WELCOME BACK SHAQ, FOX PAYTON HAS 24 POINTS IN WIN OVER SONICS LAKERS 96, SEATTLE 82.

Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer

The season's path will need another readjustment, and maybe several, before the Lakers straighten out the uncomfortable crimps and smooth the many, many ruffled edges and find their identity.

Before the ball was even tossed at midcourt Wednesday, they were already bracing the public for a new understanding, the fact that Karl Malone's absence will last at least another month or two. But that announcement was followed quickly by Shaquille O'Neal's return, and then by a 96-82 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics at Staples Center.

Gary Payton led the Lakers past his old team, scoring 24 points on 11-of-16 shooting. Kobe Bryant scored 14 points. Derek Fisher added 11 points. Devean George scored 10.

O'Neal bent rims and glared for the first time in weeks, ending a 12-game absence that began in the first half of a 111-109 loss at Seattle on Jan. 2. He played just 18 minutes and turned in seven points, but teammates were appreciative and fans were antsy, so the cameo was welcome.

Coach Phil Jackson said O'Neal's playing time would be necessarily limited, and he stuck to his pledge, playing him nine minutes in the first quarter and another nine in the third, then resisting any temptation to bring him back in the fourth.

O'Neal made 1 of 4 field goal-attempts and 5 of 9 free throws, grabbed five rebounds and blocked one shot.

It was a strikingly modest performance, but the Lakers are happy for whatever O'Neal can give them for now. They leave for a seven-game road trip Saturday morning, and the games will soon come quickly and with increasing importance.

``It'd be nice'' to have O'Neal's presence throughout,'' Jackson said. ``When we do go out on the road, I think it's important to have him. He makes a big difference.''

O'Neal practiced Monday and Tuesday and went through the morning shootaround Wednesday, but the decision to play him was held until the final hour before tipoff.

``He wasn't as enthusiastic perhaps as I anticipated (this morning),'' Jackson said. ``I thought maybe he'd be jumping out of his skin for joy to get out there. But he did want to play.''

``I've got assurances from people that count (on the training staff) that this should be OK,'' Jackson said. ``We certainly don't want to reinjure it, if we felt there was any possibility that would happen he would not play.''

Since O'Neal hurt his calf, the Lakers have endured a steady slide that has diminished their standing in the West, and their image in the eyes of opponents. Only a week ago, Dallas forward Danny Fortson dismissed the Shaq-less Lakers as being indistinguishable from the Sonics. It was meant as an insult. But with O'Neal at less than full Shaqness, Karl Malone still out and Bryant's shoulder still sore, the Lakers are indeed only a shade better than Seattle.

The Lakers went 5-7 while O'Neal recovered, but were also missing Malone for that entire span, and Bryant for six games of it.

Bryant returned Saturday night, dragging his badly sprained shoulder, but giving the Lakers their first real shot of optimism in more than a month. Malone's return remains six to eight weeks away, so the Fab Three will have to carry this thing for a while, and Slava Medvedenko will remain a fixture at power forward.

There were other comebacks Wednesday, none more emotional than Rick Fox's. The popular veteran played his first game since April 27, when he tore a tendon in his left foot in the playoffs. His long road back from foot surgery finally netted him a few minutes on the court, and the fans were almost as appreciative as he was.

Fox checked in to start the second quarter, greeted by a warm roar and a standing ovation. The eight months of rust were evident. He committed his first foul after 11 seconds and had three fouls by the time his six-minute stint was over. Fox missed the only two shots he attempted, both 3-pointers.

But the fans cheered everything he did. The fouls, the missed shots, and the two free throws he converted for his only points.

The Sonics this week lost Brent Barry, their starting point guard, to a broken finger. He's been replaced in the lineup by Antonio Daniels, a former San Antonio Spur who has had his share of success against the Lakers.

Ray Allen hit the Lakers for 16 points in the first half, but went silent in the second half and finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Rashard Lewis led the Sonics with 22 points. Flip Murray added 13 points off the bench.

Howard Beck, [phone]

howard.beck(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal, who played 18 minutes in his return Wednesday night, goes up for two of his seven points.

David Sprague/Staff Photographer

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