LOS ANGELES, Calif. Eric Fisher Jersey . - Although Jason Collins played only 10 1/2 minutes in his first game with the Brooklyn Nets, his groundbreaking appearance meant the world to an entire segment of fans. Collins became the first openly gay player in the four major U.S. professional sports leagues, and Deron Williams had a season-high 30 points along with seven assists in a 108-102 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night. "I know that I can play in the NBA and it felt good to be out there tonight," Collins said. "Conditioning-wise, I felt good. I dont think I got tired. It was a lot of fun to get back out on the court and set screens, hard fouls. Didnt take any charges tonight — thatll change. Ill get in position next time. As far as basketball timing, its going to take at least a couple of practices." Collins signed a 10-day contract Sunday, nearly 10 months after his announcement on April 29 in Sports Illustrated. He had two rebounds and five fouls and didnt score. "Hes a basketball player. Hes been doing this for a long time, so that didnt change," Williams said. "Maybe outside perception did, but inside this locker room it wasnt a big deal or a distraction. It was just another game for us. But he played huge for us. He made big plays on defence and was instrumental in this win tonight. I know hes been sitting around waiting for a job, and were excited about having Jason." The 12-year veteran spent his first six-plus NBA seasons with the Nets and helped them get to the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003. This was the 35-year-old centres first NBA game since April 17, 2013, with the Washington Wizards. "In the society we live in, you know this was going to happen eventually," teammate Paul Pierce said. "He is a guy whos going to be able to open the door for so many athletes — not only in America but around the world — to feel comfortable to come out and not feel embarrassed and feel like theyre welcomed in the sports world. It isnt about race, gender or sexuality. Its about being a part of a team and caring for one another. Thats all that matters at the end of the day." Pierce had 25 points and seven rebounds, helping end an 11-game Nets losing streak against the Lakers. Pau Gasol had 22 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who never led and lost for the 24th time in 30 games with Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Xavier Henry all sidelined by injuries. Brooklyn played without Kevin Garnett, who was rested following Saturday nights 93-86 loss at Golden State. Shaun Livingston also didnt play because of a bruised tailbone that occurred in the first half against the Warriors. Marcus Thornton, who joined the club following Wednesdays trade that sent Reggie Evans and Jason Terry to Sacramento, has yet to see action for the Nets because of food poisoning. Nick Young played for the first time since Feb. 5, scoring 10 points in 19 minutes for the Lakers after missing six games with a fracture in his left knee. Nets general manager Billy King, in need of a post player after losing centre Brook Lopez for the season on Dec. 20 with a broken right foot — and failing to acquire another one before last Thursdays trading deadline — took a chance on the 7-foot, 255-pound Collins. Collins also has played for Memphis, Minnesota, Atlanta and Boston, where he was a teammate of Pierce and Garnett last season. Sunday was a homecoming, as he was born in Northridge, Calif., and played his high school ball at Harvard-Westlake School in North Hollywood. Collins new coach is an old Nets teammate — Jason Kidd. "Its just another step in the right direction. I think its the advancements weve made as people and will continue to make advancements," Lakers point guard Kendall Marshall said. "As far as Im concerned, when I see him, I see him as a great defender — a guy that protects the paint and finishes around the rim. Thats all I see when Im out there. They needed help inside, and hes definitely going to be somebody who can help them with that." Collins scheduled pregame press conference was delayed about 15-20 minutes while he was still getting his physical. He reported into the game with 10:28 left in the second quarter and the Nets leading 35-26 after the Lakers Nick Young made the first of his two free throws. The sellout crowd welcomed Collins with a nice ovation when public address announcer Lawrence Tanter announced his name, and he spent 4 minutes and 15 seconds on the court during his first stint while the Nets increased their lead to 16 points. "It was very inspiring, how he just came in and was ready. He did the same thing for us last year with Boston," Pierce said. "You expect nothing but professionalism from Jason. Hes much needed around here with the lack of big men we have, especially with Kevin playing limited games in back-to-back moments. Jasons going to be big for us." Kirilenko made his first start of the season in Livingstons place and had 10 points and 10 rebounds in 35 minutes. Rookie Mason Plumlee made his second NBA start in Garnetts spot, and the Nets didnt miss a beat — using 14 points by Pierce to build a 31-12 lead with 3:35 left in the first quarter. NOTES: Bad timing Dept.: ESPN had this game on its original schedule, but dropped it a few weeks ago because of the Lakers dismal record and Bryants injury. As a result, the network settled for the Houston-Phoenix game instead. ... The Lakers hosted the Nets for the first time since Nov. 20, 2012, the night Mike DAntoni coached his first game with Los Angeles. DAntonis teams are 21-8 against the Nets, including a 9-5 mark during his three-plus seasons with the Knicks. Eric Berry Jersey . Philbin said Thursday he wants players to treat one another with civility and he wont tolerate anything less. In taking questions for the first time since Ted Wells released his report into the bullying scandal that rocked the league, Philbin made it clear things would be cleaned up. Larry Johnson Jersey . -- Cheyenne Woods, the niece of Tiger Woods, shot a 2-under 69 on Tuesday to finish first in stroke-play qualifying at the Womens U. http://www.authoritychiefsshop.com/dee-ford-chiefs-jersey-c-15/ . Appearing on TSN 690 Monday afternoon, Mike Babcock said he had conversations with both P.K. Subban and Carey Price about those on-ice traits during Hockey Canadas summer orientation camp. Mike Babcock: McGill experience, P.ASHBURN, Va. - Robert Griffin III returned to practice Wednesday for the Washington Redskins, and coach Jay Gruden confirmed that the third-year quarterback will regain the starters job this season.Griffin threw passes in individual and one-on-one drills in his first such work since he dislocated his left ankle in Week 2.Once they say hes healthy and he practices with us, and we feel like hes ready to go mentally and we have a good game plan for him, then hell be the starter, Gruden said. But I dont know when that will be yet. Its hard for me to project. It could be one week, two weeks. It could be five weeks.Griffin wore cleats with high ankle support and looked a bit rusty. His first pass hit fullback Darrel Young on the back of the shin, but he also had some good throws during the one-on-ones when defensive backs were covering receivers.Griffin took the first snap in each of the drills early in the practice, ahead of current starter Kirk CousinsHe looked fine. He got a little bounce in his step, Gruden said. Everything else is going to be up to the trainers and the doctor. Theres nothing I can do as far as rushing him back.The Redskins did not allow Griffin to be interviewwed about his participation in practice. Justin Houston Jersey. Griffin isnt expected to play until Nov. 2 against Minnesota at the earliest. A more likely scenario has him back Nov. 16 against Tampa Bay following the bye.Obviously wed like to have him back, but he still does need some work as far as getting back under centre, getting the reps, getting the footwork back down, just the whole process of being a quarterback again, Gruden said. Its not just about going out there and running half-gassers and throwing to wide receivers and routes vs. air. Its about handling the protections, the running game, the audibles, all that good stuff.Griffin was hurt early in a 41-10 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 14. The Redskins (1-5) have since lost four straight with Cousins, and Gruden suggested for the first time that he might turn to third-stringer Colt McCoy if Cousins continues to struggle.Obviously if things continue in this downward spiral, then theres always a chance to see Colt, Gruden said. But I think Kirk will play himself out of it.___AP NFL websites: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow Joseph White on Twitter: http://twitter.com/JGWhiteAP Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap Authentic Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys 2018 Cheap Jerseys Online Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys From China Jerseys Wholesale ' ' '