LOS ANGELES (2010 FIBA World Championship) – Team USA’s Kobe Bryant is the leading man for the Los Angeles Lakers but when he’s injured and unable to play, Spain’s Pau Gasol is more than happy to carry the load.

On Monday night, with Bryant missing a second consecutive game because of a sore left ankle, Gasol had 21 points, 19 rebounds, eight assists and five blocked shots as the Lakers beat the San Antonio Spurs, 101-89.

“It's got to be reassuring for the rest of the team and for the guys that don't play that much that are now stepping up," Gasol said of the win without Bryant.

"It was fun. It was a good challenge for us. We played hard and got a nice win."

The game had a lot of international star power.

San Antonio’s Tony Parker recently missed three games with a sprained ankle but he looks to be as good as new.

The France point guard finished with 20 points and eight assists but turned the ball over six times.

Argentina’s Manu Ginobili also had 21 points for the Spurs.

Gasol, Parker and Ginobili are not expected to announce until the end of the season if they will play at the 2010 FIBA World Championship.

One player that will be in Turkey with Team USA is Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic.

He finished with 25 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks as the Magic beat 123-117.

The USA’s Olympic gold-medal winner from Sydney, Vince Carter, led the Magic with 48 points in the win.

FIBA