Kobe Bryant and Lakers go tepidly during 100-87 loss in less-than-enthusiastic Atlanta

REPORTING FROM ATLANTA —  The frenetic vibes of the Kobe Bryant goodbye tour dissolved for a few hours Friday.

There were plenty of empty seats at Philips Arena and only a tepid Bryant following. Of relatively high importance, the star of the show returned to his poor-shooting ways.

Bryant made four of 19 shots, giving the Lakers too many empty possessions in a 100-87 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. He continued his heavy reliance on three-point attempts, not to mention all the accompanying misses — he was two for 10 Friday.

“I didn’t feel as lively as I did in the last game,” he said after scoring 14 points and blaming his increasingly uncooperative legs.

The circus was showing in a less-enthused arena, and the Lakers (3-16) acted like it. By halftime, their discombobulated offense had mustered all of 36 points, otherwise known as a typical quarter for Golden State.

D’Angelo Russell had his first-career double-double, an atypical one for a point guard — 16 points and 10 rebounds. But his four assists were more than negated by seven turnovers, including a fourth-quarter pass to nobody as he moved down the right side and whipped the ball out of bounds on the left.

Julius Randle seemed off from the start, scoring eight points on three-for-12 shooting. At least he got to finish the game.

Jordan Clarkson was headed toward another solid stat line — 13 points on efficient five-for-eight shooting — but didn’t play in the fourth quarter. Lakers Coach Byron Scott chose Lou Williams, who had a team-high 18 points on six-for-13 efficiency.

There was another curious disappearance, a second DNP in a row for Nick Young, who had 22 points last Sunday against Indiana and now can’t find the court.

“It’s just been two games,” Scott said. “Everybody acts like he’s been out of the rotation for the last month. Relax.”

Young didn’t want to escalate anything, saying, “I’m not trying to butt heads in the media. He’s trying new stuff.”

Friday’s atmosphere couldn’t compete with the first two stops on the Lakers’ eight-game trip, Philadelphia and Washington. Just the same, there was a standing ovation for Bryant between the first and second quarters when the public-address announcer thanked him for his 20 years of NBA service.

Bryant walked onto the court and acknowledged the applause with some waves. Then came a minute-long video on the scoreboard that ended with Hawks legend Dominique Wilkins saying, “I’ll see you in the Hall.”

It might have been the highlight of Bryant’s night.

He missed his first five shots and started one for nine before hitting back-to-back three-pointers in third quarter. He then showed three fingers on each hand and holstered them, a funny reaction for him.

He couldn’t make it three in a row behind the arc, his shot from 25 feet hitting the front of the rim on the Lakers’ next possession.

When it was over, Bryant shared hugs with Kyle Korver, Paul Millsap and former teammate Kent Bazemore before heading to the locker room.

This won’t be a game he’ll remember on the farewell tour. Same goes for the Lakers in an already lost season.

Follow Mike Bresnahan on Twitter @Mike_Bresnahan