Throughout the Los Angeles Lakers' storied history, 31 players have been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame. Many of the game's all-time greats have donned purple and gold.
With so many legends suiting up for the Lakers over the years, who holds the franchise's single-game scoring record? Let's revisit the top-10 scoring performances in Lakers' history.
81 - Kobe Bryant, Lakers vs. Raptors, Jan. 22, 2006
While no player has seriously challenged Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point scoring record, Kobe Bryant came the closest in 2006. The Lakers struggled throughout this game, trailing by 18 points in the third quarter. However, Bryant’s second-half explosion led them to a comeback win, as they defeated the Toronto Raptors, 122-104.
Bryant scored 55 of his 81 points in the second half, single-handedly bringing the Lakers back into the game. His efficiency was off the charts, shooting 28-of-46 (60.9%) from the field, 7-of-13 (53.8%) from 3-point range and 18-of-20 (90%) from the charity stripe. This was Bryant’s best season in terms of scoring, averaging a career-high 35.4 points per game, which led the league.
71 - Elgin Baylor, Knicks vs. Lakers, Nov. 15, 1960
Before Chamberlain took the NBA by storm, Elgin Baylor was the dominant force who broke records. Prior to this, no player in NBA history had scored 70 points in a single game. As if Baylor's record-setting 71 points weren't impressive enough, he also grabbed 25 rebounds in the 123-108 win over the New York Knicks, making this one of the best individual performances in NBA history.
That season, Baylor averaged roughly 34 points and 19 rebounds per game. Just 10 days after his 71-point performance, Baylor erupted for 52 points. He would finish the month of November averaging nearly 39 points and over 20 rebounds.
66 - Wilt Chamberlain, Lakers vs. Suns, Feb. 2, 1969
During his first season with the Lakers, Chamberlain scored 66 points and tallied 27 rebounds in a 134-116 win over the Phoenix Suns. Chamberlain shot an impressive 29-of-35 (82.9%) from the field in this contest.
Chamberlain led the way for the Lakers, playing all 48 minutes in the victory. While Chamberlain was no stranger to insane point totals, his scoring was down during the 1968-69 season when he averaged just 20.5 points per game.
65 - Kobe Bryant, Lakers vs. Blazers, March 16, 2007
Bryant scored 65 points in a 116-111 overtime win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Bryant caught fire from downtown, shooting 8-of-12 (66.7%) in this thriller. This victory was important for Los Angeles, as it snapped a seven-game losing streak.
Bryant was particularly hot down the stretch, scoring 24 of his 65 points in the fourth quarter. He also added nine points in overtime, leading the Lakers to a much-needed win.
64 - Elgin Baylor, Lakers vs. Celtics, Nov. 8, 1959
In just his second season in the NBA, Baylor scored a then-NBA-record 64 points with the Minneapolis Lakers in a 136-115 win over the Boston Celtics. He broke the previous record of 63 points, which was set a decade earlier by Joe Fulks. As previously mentioned, Baylor would break his own scoring record a year later when he scored 71 points against the Knicks.
Prior to Baylor, the Lakers' single-game scoring record belonged to George Mikan, who scored 61 points in 1952. Baylor nearly broke this record during his rookie season when he scored 55 points. Baylor made 50-point games look easy, with 17 throughout his NBA career.
63 - Jerry West, Lakers vs. Knicks, Jan. 17, 1962
The player featured in the NBA logo scored 63 points in a 129-121 win over the New York Knicks. At just 23 years old, Jerry West would have the best outing of his career; he would never score 60 points again. This performance earned him the nickname “Mr. Clutch," which lasted his entire career.
That season, West averaged over 30 points per game, to go along with 7.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists. This was just his sophomore season in the NBA, making these statistics even more impressive.
62 - Kobe Bryant, Lakers vs. Mavericks, Dec. 12, 2005
This was the first 60-point game of Bryant's career, and he accomplished the feat in just three quarters. Scoring 62 points in just 33 minutes, this is widely regarded as one of the best scoring performances in NBA history. The Lakers steamrolled the Dallas Mavericks, 112-90, enabling Bryant to not play a single minute in the fourth quarter.
Shooting an impressive 18-of-31 (58.1%) from the floor and 22-of-25 (88%) from the charity stripe, Bryant was incredibly efficient. Along with his 62 points, Bryant added eight rebounds and three steals, making his presence felt on both ends of the court.
61 - Kobe Bryant, Knicks vs. Lakers, Feb. 2, 2009
For the first time in nearly two years, Bryant scored 60 points once again. This would be his second-to-last 60-point game, with the final one being his 2016 farewell.
Though he scored fewer points than his historic 62-point performance, Bryant was more efficient in this outing. Bryant simply couldn’t miss, shooting 19-of-31 (61.3%) from the field, 3-of-6 (50%) from 3-point range and 20-of-20 (100%) from the free-throw line. Bryant led the Lakers to a 126-117 victory over the Knicks.
61 - Shaquille O’Neal, Clippers vs. Lakers, March 6, 2000
On his 28th birthday, Shaquille O’Neal had the best performance of his legendary career. Notching 61 points and 23 rebounds on ridiculously efficient 68.6% shooting from the field, O’Neal and the Lakers dominated the Los Angeles Clippers, 123-103. O'Neal shot
This was the only time in O'Neal's career that he scored 60 points. This season, he would win the NBA MVP award after averaging 29.7 points, 13.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and three blocks per game.
61 - George Mikan, Lakers vs. Royals, Jan. 20, 1952
As previously mentioned, Mikan set the Lakers' franchise record for points before Baylor surpassed him in 1959. In addition to scoring 61 points, Mikan added an astonishing 36 rebounds in the double-overtime win over the Rochester Royals. At the time, Mikan's 61 points were the second-most in NBA history behind only Fulks.
