Nov. 22, 2002
24 years, 91 days
It was a much-needed reunion for the Lakers, as Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal combined to lead L.A. to a 13-point win over the Chicago Bulls.
Bryant hit a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while O’Neal came off the bench in his season debut (toe surgery) and provided 17 points. Team defense took care of the rest, as the three-time defending champions held the Bulls to an opponent season-low 73 points.
The Lakers broke away in the third quarter, outscoring Chicago 27-17 behind 16 points from Bryant, who shot 6-of-9 in the period.
While Donyell Marshall tallied 14 points and 14 rebounds for the Bulls, the visitors couldn’t get much going, as they shot just 34.8 percent.
Meanwhile, Bryant led his team in scoring, rebounding, assists (seven) and steals (five) to help the purple and gold break out of their 3-9 slump to start the season.
Kobe performances on this day in history: