Bryant Criticizes Himself

Kobe Bryant said Monday he left without speaking to reporters after Sunday’s loss to the Seattle SuperSonics because he was frustrated with his performance.

Bryant, who is averaging 35 points a game, made only eight of 29 shots in the 120-113 defeat at Staples Center and finished with 22 points. He missed three three-point attempts in the final minute.

“I was just upset at myself for missing those shots,” Bryant said before a late-afternoon workout. “I had a tough time sleeping last night.”

Bryant was asked about bumping teammate Sasha Vujacic on the bench.

“Oh, so what,” Bryant said. “Give me a break. This is really silly. I mean if people are out there saying negative stuff about me trying to get a player pumped up or whatever.... I don’t think they showed on TV the very next time out me putting my arm around him and encouraging him to continue to be aggressive. I don’t think they put that on TV.”

With center Chris Mihm out indefinitely because of an ankle sprain, Kwame Brown will move back into the starting lineup tonight at Sacramento.

The revitalized Kings have a 32-31 record and have not lost at home since acquiring Ron Artest in late January.

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Coach Phil Jackson said Mihm’s absence would provide Brown and rookie Andrew Bynum with more playing time and that Brown would have “a little more freedom” as a starter.

“Some of the things he’s shown in the past two weeks have been real beneficial for us,” Jackson said.

Brown, who is averaging 5.8 points, did not score in Sunday’s loss to Seattle. He said he was excited about the prospect of playing center and was most comfortable in that spot.

Brown said he did not feel pressure to become more of a scorer in the absence of Mihm, who was averaging 10.4 points a game.

“I knew when I came into the game my job was to get Kobe open and play defense and I think I did good job of getting him open,” Brown said. “But now I think I have to do a little bit of both.”

LAKERS TONIGHT

vs. Sacramento, 7, Ch. 9

Site -- Arco Arena.

Radio -- 570; 1330.

Records -- Lakers 33-31; Kings 32-31.

Record vs. Kings -- 1-1.

Update -- The Kings have won four consecutive games, including an 85-80 victory over Dallas on Sunday.