Nearly eight months after Kobe Bryant limped off the Lakers' home court with a torn Achilles tendon and his career in doubt, he struggled to keep his composure when he finally stepped back onto the same hardwood.

And though his comeback night didn't quite go to script, Bryant could not help reflect on the work necessary to get back on that court - and all the months of steady labor ahead to reclaim his game.

Bryant had nine points and eight rebounds in his season debut, but Amir Johnson scored a career-high 32 points in the trade-depleted Toronto Raptors' 106-94 victory over Los Angeles on Sunday night.