Nov. 14, 2000 22 years, 83 days
It was a sight that Lakers fans quickly grew used to during the purple and gold’s three-peat years.
Coming off of their first championship together, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal teamed up to sprint past Denver, 119-103.
O’Neal paved the way with 34 points (16-of-21) and 19 rebounds, while Bryant held his own by contributing 31 points (12-of-23, 6-of-6 free throws) and nine assists.
L.A. shot 55.8 percent from the field (48-of-86), yet Denver managed to keep it close for the majority of three quarters behind 28 points from Antonio McDyess and a double-double by former Laker Nick Van Exel (17 points, 11 assists).
But then the Lakers finished the third period with nine unanswered points to take a 91-75 lead. This included an alley-oop from Bryant to O’Neal at the end of the frame.
Bryant scored all of L.A.’s first seven points of the fourth to open up a double-digit lead, and O’Neal took over from there by providing nine of the final 19.
Kobe performances on this day in history: