They say times change … but never quite like these. ¶ The Los Angeles Lakers — winners of 16 NBA championships, rulers of pro sports across Southern California for more than 40 years — are equal parts old and cobbled together and at 3-12 trail even the 3-10 Timberwolves in the Western Conference standings. ¶ How did they get here? ¶ Well, everything has its time, and for now, the Lakers' glory days are past, replaced in their massive market by the haven't-won-anything-yet Clippers. ¶ Superstar Kobe Bryant — coming off two seasons lost to injury — isn't the player he used to be, although some nights, such as his 44-point game against Golden State, he's not far off. The rest of the roster is a patchwork of old (Carlos Boozer), relatively new (Nick Young, Jeremy Lin, Ed Davis, Jordan Hill, even former Wolves forward Wes Johnson) and old and perpetually injured (Steve Nash). ¶ What it all adds up to is that 3-10 record that included unexpected consecutive road victories at Atlanta and Houston and a 1-9 start leading up to that Atlanta game a week ago that was the worst in franchise history. ¶ That's right, franchise history, dating all the way back to the Lakers' Minneapolis years.

Two teams, both hurting

Think the Wolves have injury problems? Well, the Lakers got 'em, too.

In October, the team announced Nash will miss the season because of recurring back problems, an announcement that, at age 39, probably should have just said the end of his career.

A week later, rookie forward Julius Randle — at No. 7, the Lakers' highest draft pick since they took North Carolina's James Worthy first overall in 1982 — broke his leg in the season opener against Houston and probably will miss the entire season.

A month after that, guard Xavier Henry ruptured his Achilles' tendon in practice, and he is done for the season.

Like that little bunny, Kobe just keeps …

The Lakers might be going nowhere, but Bryant keeps scoring and moving up all-time NBA lists.

Back from two injury-lost seasons, he has joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone and Michael Jordan as the only players in NBA history to score 32,000 career points. His 44-point game against Golden State nearly two weeks ago made him the fourth player since 1963 to score that many in a game at age 36 or older.

The others: Jordan (four times) and Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal (once each).

Season series

A year ago this month, the Wolves ended a 22-game losing streak to the Lakers by scoring 47 first-quarter points — a franchise record — and thumping the Lakers 113-90 at Staples Center. The Wolves won three of the four games last season, including the last two (both at Target Center).

Did you know?

Thursday would have been Lakers legendary announcer Chick Hearn's 98th birthday. The Lakers are celebrating Friday night with their annual Chick Hearn Night that includes a school-supplies drive. Hearn, born in 1916, died in 2002. He broadcast 3,338 consecutive regular-season and playoff games from 1965 to 2001.

Injuries

Wolves G Ricky Rubio (sprained ankle), G Kevin Martin (wrist surgery), C Nikola Pekovic (sprained wrist, ankle) and C Ronny Turiaf (hip) are listed as out, G Mo Williams (strep throat, pink eye) is questionable. Pekovic, Turiaf and Williams all made the trip. Lakers Nash, Randle, Henry and F Ryan Kelly (hamstring) are out.

JERRY ZGODA