Andrew Bogut lasted longer than 58 seconds on the court in his NBA debut for the Los Angeles Lakers and that was a victory for the big Australian.
His personal achievement came despite the Lakers getting crushed by city rivals the LA Clippers 108-92 on Thursday at Staples Center in downtown LA.
The last time Bogut was on a court in a NBA game was six months ago when he was debuting for the Cleveland Cavaliers and broke his leg after just 58 seconds.
"I got through a game without breaking or hurting anything and that was the first goal," Bogut, who started from the bench, told AAP in the Lakers' locker room.
The Lakers were woeful and their much-hyped rookie point guard Lonzo Ball appeared overawed in his debut game, missing five of six field goals for three points, nine rebounds, four assists and two turnovers.
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Ball was physically and verbally harassed during the game by Clippers guard Patrick Beverley, who pressed the 19-year-old full court, went chest-to-chest and sledged this year's No.2 draft pick.
"I thought Zo kept his composure," Lakers head coach Luke Walton said.
Clippers power forward Blake Griffin was the dominant player on court with 29 points and 12 rebounds.
The Clippers jumped to an early lead with Griffin facing little resistance around the basket until Walton, an assistant coach when Bogut was with the Golden State Warriors, sent the 32-year-old on the court.
Bogut's 213cm tall frame halted Griffin temporarily, with the Australian collecting his first block within 90 seconds and altering other shots.
Bogut, who was in doubt for the game with a groin strain, had two rebounds, two blocks, a steal and an assist in his scoreless 11 minutes on the court.
He only had a few scrimmages with his new teammates since joining the team last month and showed plenty of rust against the Clippers with three turnovers.
"I definitely over-achieved tonight," Bogut deadpanned when it was noted he lasted longer than 58 seconds.
"Honestly, I'm happy to bounce back from the injury.
"To come back from a broken leg in less than six months and be on an NBA court is mission accomplished for me."
In other NBA games on Thursday, the New York Knicks beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 105-84 and the Toronto Raptors defeated the Chicago Bulls 117-100.
