SAN FRANCISCO --- Kobe Bryant added another feather in his already accomplished cap, becoming the fifth player in the history of the NBA to score 30,000 points.
The 34-year old Bryant, a 16-year NBA campaigner, needed only 13 points to reach the rare mark. But he drilled 29 points anyway as the Los Angeles Lakers dumped the New Orleans Hornets - 103-87 -- Wednesday night at the New Orleans Arena.
Bryant also had six rebounds and four assists against a lone turnover. He swished 10-of-17 shots, including 1-for-4 above the 3-point arc. He was nearly flawless at the free throw stripe, 8-for-9.
Tendinitis in the knees prevented center-forward Pau Gasol from suiting up, but veteran Antawn Jamison filled in nicely, finishing with 15 points and four rebounds. Dwight Howard chipped in18 points and eight rebounds for L.A. while teammate Ron Artest accounted for 11 markers and nine rebounds.
The win was a nice bounce back for Los Angeles which fell to the Houston Rockets, 107-105, the night before. The Lakers climbed to a 9-10 record, third place in the Pacific Divison paced by the 11-6 Los Angeles Clippers.
With a career total of 30,016 points, Bryant is only eclipsed by four other players who have scored more in the NBA, reports the Los Angeles Times --- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387), Karl Malone (36,928), Michael Jordan (32,292) and Wilt Chamberlain (31,419).
Trailing 48-47 at halftime, the Lakers outscored the Hornets 30-16 in the third quarter to gain the upperhand. The Lakers sank 37 of 80 field goals and 13 of 28 triples. They led 92-72 at the 7:26 mark of the final period and were never threatened.
Ryan Anderson led all scorers with 31 for the Magic, who converted only 41.2 percent of their field goals and 36.8 percent of their threes. (Ryan Medida).
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