Luka Dončić Ties Kobe Bryant in Rare Lakers Scoring Feat
Dončić achieved a milestone held by only Bryant for Lakers players since 2000 after scoring 21 points in the first quarter against the Warriors.
Luka Dončić etched his name further into Los Angeles Lakers history on Friday night, achieving a scoring feat that places him alongside Kobe Bryant. Dončić recorded 21 points in the opening quarter of the Lakers' road game against the Golden State Warriors, marking his 33rd career 20-point quarter and his 10th such quarter as a Laker.
This accomplishment means Dončić and Bryant are the only two Lakers players to register at least 10 20-point quarters since the year 2000. Bryant, the late franchise icon, achieved 36 such quarters between 2000 and his retirement in 2016.
Beyond his place in Lakers lore, Dončić also surpassed James Harden for the third-most 20-point quarters in the NBA since 2000. Notably, 18 of Dončić's 20-point quarters have occurred in the first quarter, the highest total for any player in that span.
In that explosive first quarter against the Warriors, Dončić made five three-pointers and dished out five assists, propelling the Lakers to a 38-15 lead heading into the second quarter. Despite his strong start, the Warriors managed to close the gap, tying the game at 53 by halftime.