NBA Players Who Scored The Most Points For The Los Angeles Lakers In A Single Game

• Several NBA legends have played for the Los Angeles Lakers

• Many of those NBA icons had at least one incredible scoring night while wearing the purple and gold

• Kobe Bryant scored the most points in a single game in Lakers franchise history

The Los Angeles Lakers have been fortunate throughout their franchise history. Several of the best players in NBA history have worn the purple and gold.

Defense may win championships in the NBA, but scoring is the name of the game. If your team doesn’t have players who can put the ball in the hole, you are not going to compete for titles. 

From Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, and Jerry West, to Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, let’s take a look at the highest-scoring individual games in Lakers history. 

11. Kobe Bryant – 61 Points (February 2, 2009)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMluwP1C8gg

On February 2, 2009, the Los Angeles Lakers faced the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Fans who were at the game were treated to a special show, as Kobe Bryant put up 61 points in 36 minutes. 

The Black Mamba shot 19-of-31 from the field, 3-of-6 from 3-point land, and a perfect 20-of-20 from the free-throw line. Bryant was a on scoring mission that night, as he only had three assists. The Hall of Famer had zero rebounds. 

The Lakers defeated the Knicks by a final score of 126-117 and Bryant got a standing ovation from New York fans as he exited the game. 

10. George Mikan – 61 Points (January 20, 1952)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHcpuSRQ2vc

The legendary George Mikan scored 61 points against the Rochester Royals on January 20, 1952. The Lakers were still the Minneapolis Lakers. 

Mikan shot 22-of-25 from the field and 17-of-21 from the free-throw line in 58 minutes of action. The Lakers beat the Royals by a final score of 91-81 in double overtime. 

Mikan single-handedly led the Lakers to a win versus the Royals, as his teammates combined to score only 30 points. 

9. Shaquille O’Neal – 61 Points (March 6, 2000)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qlwXWBsIc8

The Los Angeles Lakers faced the Los Angeles Clippers on Shaquille O’Neal‘s 28th birthday and The Diesel had the game of his life. 

Shaq put up 61 points and 23 rebounds in 44 minutes while shooting 24-of-35 from the field and 13-of-22 from the free-throw line. The Clippers had zero answers for O’Neal, who had a wonderful birthday in LA. 

The Lakers crushed the Clippers by a final score of 123-103. 

8. Kobe Bryant 62 Points (December 20, 2005)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj9p1X6py0M

The Los Angeles Lakers hosted the Dallas Mavericks in December 2005 and Kobe Bryant touched the Mavericks for 62 points in three quarters. 

Yes, you read that right. Bryant scored 62 points against the Mavericks in three quarters. He sat out the entire fourth quarter since Los Angeles was blowing Dallas out. Bryant shot 18-of-31 from the field, 4-of-10 from 3-point land, and 22-of-25 from the foul line. 

The Lakers beat the Mavericks by a final score of 112-90. Bryant was the only Lakers player to score in double-figures. 

7. Jerry West – 63 Points (January 17, 1962)

Los Angeles Lakers legend Jerry West, aka The Logo, scored 63 points versus the New York Knicks during the 1961-92 season. West played 39 minutes and willed the Lakers to a 129-121 win. 

West shot 22-of-36 from the field and 19-of-22 from the foul line. The superstar guard also had three rebounds and three assists.

West scored 63 points in an era without the 3-point shot. That’s very impressive. 

6. Elgin Baylor – 63 Points (December 8, 1961)

The one and only Elgin Baylor had one of the best games in NBA history on December 8, 1961. The Los Angeles Lakers legend put up 63 points, 31 rebounds, and seven assists versus the Philadelphia Warriors. 

Baylor shot 23-of-55 from the field and 17-of-24 from the foul line. The Lakers beat the Warriors in triple overtime by a final score of 151-147. 

Baylor never won a championship during his career, but he’s one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977. 

5. Elgin Baylor – 64 Points (November 8, 1959)

There’s a reason why Elgin Baylor is third in NBA history in points per game with an average of 27.4 points. He was a professional bucket-getter. 

In November 1959, Baylor dropped 64 points versus the Boston Celtics. The Los Angeles Lakers icon shot 25-of-47 from the field and 14-of-19 from the foul line. Baylor also grabbed 17 rebounds and dished out eight assists. 

Thanks to Baylor, the Lakers beat the Celtics by a final score of 136-115. 

4. Kobe Bryant – 65 Points (March 16, 2007)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUYSSDj_ntg

In March 2007, Kobe Bryant scored 65 points versus the Portland Trail Blazers in 49 minutes. The shooting guard shot 23-of-39 from the field, 8-of-12 from 3-point land, and 11-of-12 from the free-throw line. 

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Blazers by a final score of 116-111 in overtime. Bryant scored 24 of his 65 points in the fourth quarter. Kobe then dropped nine points in overtime to seal the win. 

Bryant was wearing No. 24 now. It was certainly fun to watch him dominate teams in a new number. 

3. Wilt Chamberlain – 66 Points (February 9, 1969)

Wilt Chamberlain holds the NBA record for the most points scored in a game. He scored 100 points as a member of the Philadelphia Warriors during the 1961-62 season. 

Chamberlain’s highest-scoring game with the Los Angeles Lakers came in February 1969. The center scored 66 points while shooting 29-of-35 from the field and 8-of-18 from the free-throw line. Chamberlain also grabbed 27 rebounds. 

Behind Chamberlain, the Lakers beat the Phoenix Suns by a final score of 134-116. 

2. Elgin Baylor – 71 Points (November 15, 1960)

Elgin Baylor is back on the list. He dropped a career-high 7 points in November 1960 against the New York Knicks. Baylor shot 28-of-48 from the field and 15-of-19 from the free-throw line. 

Baylor finished with 25 rebounds versus the Knicks in 45 minutes. The Lakers defeated the Knicks by a final score of 123-108. 

Baylor passed away in March 2021. He finished his incredible career with 23,149 points. 

1. Kobe Bryant – 81 Points (January 22, 2006)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9NILK4OXpo

Kobe Bryant was already an NBA legend. He was a three-time champion and one of the top scorers in the league. However, that wasn’t enough for Bryant. He wanted to prove to everyone that he could dominate without Shaquille O’Neal.  

On January 22, 2006, Bryant scored a whopping 81 points against the Toronto Raptors. It is the second-most points scored in a game in NBA history. Bryant shot 28-of-46 from the field, 7-of-13 from 3-point land, and 18-of-20 from the free-throw line.  

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Raptors by a final score of 122-104. When Bryant checked out of the game, the Staples Center crowd gave Kobe a rousing standing ovation. 

Bryant, who tragically passed away in January 2020, is universally recognized as the best player in Lakers franchise history. He is first all-time in games, minutes played, field goals, 3-point field goals, free throws, steals and points.