Lamar Odom -- Standing Ovation at Lakers Homecoming

Lamar Odom returned to the Staples Center last night to play the Lakers ... for the first time since he was traded away to the Dallas Mavericks ... and was welcomed by the L.A. fans with a standing ovation.

With his Kardashian wife in the stands ... the crowd erupted when Lamar came out on the court ... even Jack Nicholson got out of his seat to show his respect for the former Lakers star.

Odom dropped 10 points ... but it wasn't enough to propel the Mavs to victory ... 'cause the Lake Show took the victory 73 to 70.

Funny thing is ... Odom was traded away so quickly last month, the Lakers haven't had time to remove his image from the tickets.