ESPN: Kobe Bryant showed no lingering effects from the flu, scoring 34 points and becoming the youngest player in NBA history to reach 23,000 in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 105-98 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night.
Pau Gasol had 22 points and 14 rebounds, and Lamar Odom had 12 points and a season-high 18 boards for the Lakers, just back from a 6-0 trip they concluded with wins against Boston and Cleveland.
Bryant had chills and fever and needed intravenous fluids at halftime of Sunday’s game against the Cavaliers. Although Los Angeles has the league’s best record and Oklahoma City one of the worst, the Thunder stayed close most of the game, but they trailed the entire second half.
Kevin Durant finished with 31 points, his fifth 30-point game in a row, and 10 rebounds in the loss. Russell Westbrook had 17 points and nine rebounds.
With fans chanting “MVP,” Bryant made a free throw with 5:13 left in the second quarter to become the youngest player in NBA history with 23,000 points at 30 years, 171 days old. He bounced the first of two free throws off the front of the rim, the backboard and in for his 14th point of the game. He joined 20 others in league history who’ve reached the mark.
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