The current stars of the Los Angeles Lakers have achieved a historic milestone that the franchise had not witnessed in decades. LeBron James and the Lakers’ blockbuster acquisition, Luka Doncic, joined elite company by matching a feat last accomplished by legends Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant—a rare sight in Lakers history.
During the Lakers’ matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2024–25 NBA Playoffs, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, James and Doncic became the first Lakers duo to each score 20-plus points in the same half of a playoff game since O’Neal and Bryant did so in 2002.
In the first half, James tallied exactly 22 points while Doncic added 21, setting the tone for a dominant opening stretch where virtually everything clicked for the Lakers. However, Minnesota faced a scare when Anthony Edwards appeared to suffer a near-injury later in the half.
Achieving such a mark in the postseason is extremely rare, particularly given the heightened defensive intensity typically reserved for superstars. Drawing comparisons to Kobe Bryant—widely considered one of the greatest NBA players ever with his famed “Mamba Mentality”—and Shaquille O’Neal, the most dominant center of his era, underscores the significance of this performance.
Former Los Angeles Lakers players Shaquille O’Neal (L) Kobe Bryant and coach Phil Jackson during a ceremony where of O’Neal’s statue
When did Shaq and Kobe achieve this feat?
Shaq and Kobe accomplished this milestone during the memorable 2001 playoff run, when O’Neal claimed Finals MVP honors after a dominant performance, averaging more than 20 points per game and sealing the title with a 29-point effort in the decisive game, overshadowing Bryant’s contributions.
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The Lakers were already emerging as a powerhouse, with their fearsome duo instilling fear across the league. That playoff performance, with each star scoring 20-plus points in the first half, came during the 2001 Western Conference Semifinals.
Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant achieved this feat during the 2001 NBA Playoffs, in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Sacramento Kings. The game took place on May 13, 2001, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, where the Lakers secured a hard-fought 96–90 victory. In the first half, O’Neal scored 24 points while Bryant added 22, setting a dominant tone that reminded everyone why they were considered one of the most feared duos in NBA history.
What’s expected from Luka and LeBron?
Expectations are naturally sky-high for a duo of this magnitude. With LeBron and Luka being compared to the likes of Kobe and Shaq, the bar is nothing short of winning championships together. While an immediate title this season may be ambitious given the time needed to build chemistry, the Lakers must capture at least one title before LeBron’s legendary career comes to an end. Anything less would be considered a historic disappointment.
