2002–03 Los Angeles Lakers season

The 2002–03 NBA season was the Lakers' 55th season in the National Basketball Association, and 43rd in the city of Los Angeles. The Lakers entered the season as the three-time defending champions, having defeated the New Jersey Nets in four straight games in the 2002 NBA Finals, winning their fourteenth NBA championship. With All-Star center Shaquille O'Neal sidelined early in the season after an off-season right foot and toe surgery,  the Lakers got off to a terrible 3–9 start. After he returned, the team only improved slowly, having an 11–19 record 30 games into the season, their worst start in nine years. However, the Lakers would recover from their slow start, and hold a 24–23 record at the All-Star break, ninth place in the Western Conference at the time, and out of playoff position. The Lakers won 11 of their final 13 games ending the season with a 50–32 record, finishing fifth in the Western Conference.

The season saw co-captain Kobe Bryant play all 82 games for the first time in his career, as he averaged 30.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 2.2 steals per game, while O'Neal averaged 27.5 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. In addition, Derek Fisher provided the team with 10.5 points and 3.6 assists per game, while Rick Fox contributed 9.0 points per game, and Robert Horry provided with 6.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Kobe and Shaq were both named to the All-NBA First Team, and were both selected to play in the 2003 NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta. Kobe was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, and finished in third place in MVP voting with 8 first-place votes, while Shaq was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and finished in fifth place in MVP voting with 3 first-place votes.

Facing an uphill battle without home-court advantage, the Lakers managed to beat the 4th-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs,  but fell to the top-seeded and eventual champion San Antonio Spurs in six games in the Western Conference Semi-finals. The Spurs would reach the Finals to defeat the New Jersey Nets in six games, winning their second championship. Following the season, Horry signed as a free agent with the San Antonio Spurs, while Mark Madsen signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Samaki Walker signed with the Miami Heat, and Brian Shaw retired.

The season was overshadowed by the death of long-time Lakers broadcaster Chick Hearn, who died after a fall in the summer of 2002. To pay tribute, the Lakers donned an alternate white uniform, which can be only worn on Christmas and Sunday home games. The uniforms made its debut in a home loss against the Sacramento Kings on Christmas Day. They were designed by late owner Jerry Buss' daughter, who is now the controlling owner and president of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jeanie.

Season standings

 * z - clinched division title
 * y - clinched division title
 * x - clinched playoff spot

Pre-season

 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 1
 * October 8
 * L.A. Clippers
 * L 99-101
 * 3 players tied (13)
 * Bryant & Samake (6)
 * Kobe Bryant (4)
 * Centennial Garden (Bakersfield, CA) 10,097
 * 0-1
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 2
 * October 11
 * Memphis
 * W 95-87
 * Kobe Bryant (18)
 * Soumaila Samake (13)
 * Jannero Pargo (7)
 * Alltel Arena (Little Rock, AR) 14,672
 * 1-1
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 3
 * October 12
 * Denver
 * L 81-103
 * Kobe Bryant (20)
 * Soumaila Samake (8)
 * Ford Center (Oklahoma City, OK) 13,952
 * 1-2
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 4
 * October 17
 * Golden State
 * W 91-89
 * Kobe Bryant (22)
 * Samaki Walker (13)
 * Arrowhead Pond (Anaheim, CA) 17,027
 * 2-2
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 5
 * October 19
 * Phoenix
 * L 84-90
 * Kobe Bryant (23)
 * Samaki Walker (15)
 * Thomas & Mack Center (Las Vegas, NV) 16,172
 * 2-3
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 6
 * October 22
 * Cleveland
 * L 101-102
 * Derek Fisher (18)
 * Slava Medvedenko (8)
 * Rick Fox (6)
 * San Diego Sports Arena (San Diego, CA) 13,644
 * 2-4
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 7
 * October 24
 * Milwaukee
 * W 98-93
 * Tracy Murray (21)
 * Soumaila Samake (9)
 * Slava Medvedenko (5)
 * Staples Center 15,127
 * 3-4
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 8
 * October 25
 * Sacramento
 * L 88-93
 * Kobe Bryant (23)
 * Devean George (9)
 * Kobe Bryant (12)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 3-5
 * Kobe Bryant (12)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 3-5

Regular season

 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 1
 * October 29
 * San Antonio
 * L 82-87
 * Kobe Bryant (27)
 * Bryant & Walker (10)
 * Kobe Bryant (5)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 0-1
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 2
 * October 30
 * @ Portland
 * L 90–102
 * Kobe Bryant (25)
 * Kobe Bryant (10)
 * Devean George (5)
 * Rose Garden 20,225
 * 0-2


 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 3
 * November 1
 * @ L.A. Clippers
 * W 108-93
 * Kobe Bryant (33)
 * Kobe Bryant (15)
 * Kobe Bryant (12)
 * Staples Center 20,474
 * 1–2
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 4
 * November 3
 * Portland
 * W 98-95 (OT)
 * Kobe Bryant (33)
 * Kobe Bryant (14)
 * Kobe Bryant (12)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 2-2
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 5
 * November 5
 * @ Cleveland
 * L 70-89
 * Kobe Bryant (15)
 * Kobe Bryant (13)
 * Kobe Bryant (9)
 * Gund Arena 19,833
 * 2–3
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 6
 * November 7
 * @ Boston
 * L 95-98 (OT)
 * Kobe Bryant (41)
 * Samaki Walker (12)
 * Robert Horry (5)
 * Fleet Center 18,624
 * 2-4
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 7
 * November 8
 * @ Washington
 * L 99–100
 * Kobe Bryant (27)
 * Rick Fox (8)
 * Robert Horry (5)
 * MCI Center 20,173
 * 2–5
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 8
 * November 12
 * Atlanta
 * L 83–95
 * Kobe Bryant (21)
 * Samaki Walker (10)
 * Kobe Bryant (8)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 2-6
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 9
 * November 15
 * Golden State
 * W 96-89 (OT)
 * Kobe Bryant (45)
 * Fox & Walker (14)
 * Brian Shaw (8)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 3-6
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 10
 * November 17
 * Houston
 * L 89–93
 * Kobe Bryant (46)
 * Horry & Walker (9)
 * Kobe Bryant (4)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 3–7
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 11
 * November 19
 * @ Dallas
 * L 72-98
 * Kobe Bryant (16)
 * Fox & Walker (9)
 * Kobe Bryant (5)
 * American Airlines Center 20,096
 * 3–8
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 12
 * November 20
 * @ San Antonio
 * L 88-95
 * Kobe Bryant (24)
 * Samaki Walker (10)
 * Kobe Bryant (7)
 * SBC Center 18,797
 * 3–9
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 13
 * November 22
 * Chicago
 * W 86–73
 * Kobe Bryant (21)
 * Kobe Bryant (10)
 * Kobe Bryant (7)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 4–9
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 14
 * November 24
 * Milwaukee
 * W 111–99
 * Shaquille O'Neal (24)
 * Bryant & O'Neal (11)
 * Kobe Bryant (11)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 5–9
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 15
 * November 26
 * @ Miami
 * L 85-97
 * Kobe Bryant (21)
 * Robert Horry (9)
 * Kobe Bryant (4)
 * American Airlines Arena 16,500
 * 5-10
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 16
 * November 27
 * @ Orlando
 * L 102–112
 * Kobe Bryant (38)
 * Bryant & Fox (10)
 * Fox & Horry (6)
 * TD Waterhouse Centre 17,283
 * 5–11
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 17
 * November 29
 * @ Memphis
 * W 112-106 (OT)
 * Kobe Bryant (45)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (13)
 * Rick Fox (6)
 * Pyramid Arena 19,351
 * 6–11


 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 18
 * December 1
 * Minnesota
 * L 107-110
 * Shaquille O'Neal (31)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (13)
 * Kobe Bryant (11)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 6-12
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 19
 * December 3
 * Memphis
 * W 101-91
 * Shaquille O'Neal (28)
 * Kobe Bryant (10)
 * Kobe Bryant (11)
 * Staples Center 18,512
 * 7-12
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 20
 * December 4
 * @ Utah
 * L 85-93
 * Shaquille O'Neal (23)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (15)
 * Kobe Bryant (5)
 * Delta Center 19,657
 * 7-13
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 21
 * December 6
 * Dallas
 * W 105-103
 * Kobe Bryant (27)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (11)
 * Kobe Bryant (7)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 8-13
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 22
 * December 8
 * Utah
 * W 110-101
 * Shaquille O'Neal (32)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (11)
 * Kobe Bryant (14)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 9-13
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 23
 * December 10
 * @ Golden State
 * L 102-106
 * Shaquille O'Neal (36)
 * Robert Horry (12)
 * Kobe Bryant (14)
 * The Arena in Oakland 19,596
 * 9-14
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 24
 * December 13
 * New Orleans
 * L 82-98
 * Shaquille O'Neal (28)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (10)
 * Derek Fisher (6)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 9-15
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 25
 * December 15
 * Orlando
 * W 107-84
 * Shaquille O'Neal (30)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (14)
 * Kobe Bryant (8)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 10-15
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 26
 * December 17
 * @ Minnesota
 * L 80-96
 * Shaquille O'Neal (17)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (9)
 * Kobe Bryant (6)
 * Target Center 16,447
 * 10-16
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 27
 * December 19
 * @ New Jersey
 * L 71-98
 * Kobe Bryant (21)
 * Robert Horry (11)
 * Kobe Bryant (5)
 * Continental Airlines Arena 20,049
 * 10-17
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 28
 * December 20
 * @ Philadelphia
 * L 104-107 (OT)
 * Kobe Bryant (44)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (14)
 * Kobe Bryant (10)
 * First Union Center 21,127
 * 10-18
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 29
 * December 22
 * @ Toronto
 * W 109-107 (OT)
 * Bryant & O'Neal (31)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (15)
 * Derek Fisher (7)
 * Air Canada Centre 19,800
 * 11-18
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 30
 * December 25
 * Sacramento
 * L 99-105
 * Bryant & O'Neal (27)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (17)
 * Kobe Bryant (6)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 11-19
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 31
 * December 28
 * @ Denver
 * W 112-93
 * Kobe Bryant (39)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (13)
 * Derek Fisher (9)
 * Pepsi Center 19,099
 * 12-19
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 32
 * December 29
 * Toronto
 * W 104-88
 * Shaquille O'Neal (35)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (10)
 * Kobe Bryant (12)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 13-19


 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 33
 * January 4
 * @ Phoenix
 * L 93-107
 * Kobe Bryant (37)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (9)
 * Kobe Bryant (7)
 * American West Arena 19,023
 * 13-20
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 34
 * January 5
 * Phoenix
 * W 109-97
 * Shaquille O'Neal (36)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (16)
 * Rick Fox (8)
 * Staples Center 18,642
 * 14-20
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 35
 * January 7
 * Seattle
 * W 119-98
 * Kobe Bryant (45)
 * Robert Horry (8)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (7)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 15-20
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 36
 * January 10
 * Cleveland
 * W 115-99
 * Shaquille O'Neal (26)
 * Kobe Bryant (10)
 * Kobe Bryant (11)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 16-20
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 37
 * January 12
 * Miami
 * W 106-81
 * Kobe Bryant (36)
 * Samaki Walker (16)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (5)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 17-20
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 38
 * January 15
 * @ New Orleans
 * W 90-82
 * Kobe Bryant (36)
 * Bryant & O'Neal (11)
 * Kobe Bryant (4)
 * New Orleans Arena 18,509
 * 18-20
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 39
 * January 17
 * @ Houston
 * L 104-108 (OT)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (31)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (13)
 * Kobe Bryant (9)
 * Compaq Center 16,285
 * 18-21
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 40
 * January 20
 * L.A. Clippers
 * W 96-92
 * Shaquille O'Neal (32)
 * O'Neal & Walker (15)
 * Kobe Bryant (11)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 19-21
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 41
 * January 22
 * Golden State
 * L 110-114
 * Shaquille O'Neal (28)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (9)
 * Kobe Bryant (7)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 19-22
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 42
 * January 24
 * New Jersey
 * L 83-89
 * Shaquille O'Neal (27)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (13)
 * Bryant & Fisher (5)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 19-23
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 43
 * January 29
 * @ Phoenix
 * W 99-90
 * Kobe Bryant (40)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (12)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (6)
 * American West Arena 18,437
 * 20-23
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 44
 * January 31
 * @ Sacramento
 * W 124-113
 * Kobe Bryant (38)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (10)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (6)
 * ARCO Arena 17,317
 * 21-23


 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 45
 * February 1
 * Utah
 * W 99-87
 * Kobe Bryant (42)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (13)
 * Robert Horry (6)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 22-23
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 46
 * February 4
 * @ Indiana
 * W 97-94
 * Kobe Bryant (35)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (12)
 * Fisher & Fox (5)
 * Conseco Fieldhouse 18,345
 * 23-23
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 47
 * February 6
 * @ New York
 * W 114-109
 * Kobe Bryant (46)
 * Robert Horry (12)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (7)
 * Madison Square Garden 19,763
 * 24-23
 * - align="center"
 * colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 48
 * February 11
 * Denver
 * W 121-93
 * Kobe Bryant (42)
 * Kareem Rush (9)
 * 4 players tied (5)
 * Staples Center 18,848
 * 25-23
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 49
 * February 12
 * @ Denver
 * W 113-102
 * Kobe Bryant (51)
 * Samaki Walker (14)
 * Bryant & Fox (4)
 * Pepsi Center 17,757
 * 26-23
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 50
 * February 14
 * San Antonio
 * L 95-103
 * Kobe Bryant (44)
 * Robert Horry (15)
 * Robert Horry (6)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 26-24
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 51
 * February 16
 * New York
 * L 110-117
 * Kobe Bryant (40)
 * Robert Horry (11)
 * Derek Fisher (8)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 26-25
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 52
 * February 18
 * Houston
 * W 106-99 (2OT)
 * Kobe Bryant (52)
 * Robert Horry (11)
 * Kobe Bryant (7)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 27-25
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 53
 * February 19
 * @ Utah
 * W 93-87
 * Kobe Bryant
 * Bryant & George (6)
 * Derek Fisher (4)
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 28-25
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 54
 * February 21
 * Portland
 * W 92-84
 * Kobe Bryant (40)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (12)
 * Robert Horry (5)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 29-25
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 55
 * February 23
 * Seattle
 * W 106-101
 * Kobe Bryant (41)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (17)
 * Kareem Rush (7)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 30-25
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 56
 * February 25
 * L.A. Clippers
 * W 109-98
 * Shaquille O'Neal (33)
 * Robert Horry (10)
 * Rick Fox (8)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 31-25
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 57
 * February 27
 * Detroit
 * W 95-85
 * Shaquille O'Neal (35)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (14)
 * Rick Fox (6)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 32-25
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 58
 * February 28
 * @ Seattle
 * L 90-107
 * Kobe Bryant (34)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (11)
 * Kobe Bryant (9)
 * KeyArena 17,072
 * 32-26


 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 59
 * March 5
 * Indiana
 * W 97-95
 * Shaquille O'Neal (26)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (11)
 * Robert Horry (6)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 33-26
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 60
 * March 7
 * Minnesota
 * W 106-96
 * Shaquille O'Neal (40)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (14)
 * Kobe Bryant (7)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 34-26
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 61
 * March 9
 * Philadelphia
 * W 106-92
 * Shaquille O'Neal (39)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (10)
 * Kobe Bryant (9)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 35-26
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 62
 * March 11
 * @ Chicago
 * L 99-116
 * Kobe Bryant (36)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (10)
 * Bryant & Fisher (5)
 * United Center 23,122
 * 35-27
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 63
 * March 12
 * @ Detroit
 * L 88-111
 * Shaquille O'Neal (24)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (13)
 * Derek Fisher (5)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 35-28
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 64
 * March 14
 * @ Minnesota
 * W 106-99
 * Kobe Bryant (30)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (15)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (6)
 * Target Center 20,199
 * 36-28
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 65
 * March 15
 * @ Milwaukee
 * W 98-94
 * Shaquille O'Neal (24)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (11)
 * 3 players tied (5)
 * Bradley Center 18,717
 * 37-28
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 66
 * March 17
 * @ L.A. Clippers
 * W 102-85
 * Shaquille O'Neal (42)
 * Bryant & O'Neal (7)
 * Kobe Bryant (6)
 * Staples Center 20,101
 * 38-28
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 67
 * March 20
 * @ Sacramento
 * L 99-107
 * Kobe Bryant (34)
 * Bryant & O'Neal (13)
 * Robert Horry (5)
 * ARCO Arena 17,317
 * 38-29
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 68
 * March 21
 * Boston
 * W 104-96
 * Shaquille O'Neal (48)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (20)
 * Kobe Bryant (7)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 39-29
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 69
 * March 23
 * @ San Antonio
 * L 89-98
 * Shaquille O'Neal (32)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (12)
 * Derek Fisher (3)
 * SBC Center 18,797
 * 39-30
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 70
 * March 25
 * @ Atlanta
 * W 108-91
 * Shaquille O'Neal (31)
 * Kobe Bryant (10)
 * Bryant & Fisher (6)
 * Philips Arena 19,870
 * 40-30
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 71
 * March 26
 * @ Houston
 * W 96-93
 * Shaquille O'Neal (39)
 * Kobe Bryant (9)
 * Kobe Bryant (5)
 * Compaq Center 16,285
 * 41-30
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 72
 * March 28
 * Washington
 * W 108-94
 * Kobe Bryant (55)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (13)
 * Derek Fisher (7)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 42-30
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 73
 * March 30
 * @ Seattle
 * L 98-119
 * Shaquille O'Neal (34)
 * Robert Horry (8)
 * Rick Fox (6)
 * KeyArena 17,072
 * 42-31
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 74
 * March 31
 * Memphis
 * W 110-94
 * Shaquille O'Neal (34)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (11)
 * Kobe Bryant (8)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 43-31


 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 75
 * April 3
 * @ Dallas
 * W 100-89
 * Shaquille O'Neal (31)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (17)
 * Kobe Bryant (6)
 * American Airlines Center 20,129
 * 44-31
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 76
 * April 4
 * @ Memphis
 * W 102-101
 * Shaquille O'Neal (33)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (19)
 * Kobe Bryant (6)
 * Pyramid Arena 19,351
 * 45-31
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 77
 * April 6
 * Phoenix
 * W 115-113 (OT)
 * Kobe Bryant (26)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (13)
 * Bryant & O'Neal (7)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 46-31
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 78
 * April 8
 * Dallas
 * W 108-99
 * Devean George (21)
 * Horry & O'Neal (10)
 * Derek Fisher (8)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 47-31
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 79
 * April 10
 * Sacramento
 * W 117-104
 * Kobe Bryant (34)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (16)
 * Derek Fisher (8)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 48-31
 * - style="background:#fcc;"
 * 80
 * April 13
 * @ Portland
 * L 99-101
 * Bryant & O'Neal (36)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (11)
 * Kobe Bryant (7)
 * Rose Garden 20,580
 * 48-32
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 81
 * April 15
 * Denver
 * W 126-104
 * Kobe Bryant (32)
 * Kobe Bryant (8)
 * Jannero Pargo (5)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 49-32
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 82
 * April 16
 * @ Golden State
 * W 117-111
 * Kobe Bryant (44)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (12)
 * Robert Horry (6)
 * The Arena in Oakland 20,234
 * 50-32

Playoffs

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * April 20
 * @ Minnesota
 * W 117–98
 * Kobe Bryant (39)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (10)
 * Bryant & Horry (8)
 * Target Center 17,097
 * 1–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 2
 * April 22
 * @ Minnesota
 * L 91–119
 * Bryant & O'Neal (27)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (14)
 * Kobe Bryant (8)
 * Target Center 17,132
 * 1–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 3
 * April 24
 * Minnesota
 * L 110–114 (OT)
 * Kobe Bryant (30)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (17)
 * Kobe Bryant (6)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 1–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 4
 * April 27
 * Minnesota
 * W 102–97
 * Shaquille O'Neal (34)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (23)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (6)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 2–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 5
 * April 29
 * @ Minnesota
 * W 120–90
 * Kobe Bryant (32)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (11)
 * Devean George (6)
 * Target Center 20,098
 * 3–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 6
 * May 1
 * Minnesota
 * W 101–85
 * Kobe Bryant (31)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (17)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (9)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 4–2


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 1
 * May 5
 * @ San Antonio
 * L 82–87
 * Kobe Bryant (37)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (21)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (3)
 * SBC Center 18,797
 * 0–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 2
 * May 7
 * @ San Antonio
 * L 95–114
 * Bryant & O'Neal (27)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (10)
 * Jannero Pargo (3)
 * SBC Center 18,797
 * 0–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 3
 * May 9
 * San Antonio
 * W 110–95
 * Kobe Bryant (39)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (16)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (8)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 1–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 4
 * May 11
 * San Antonio
 * W 99–95
 * Kobe Bryant (35)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (17)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (5)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 2–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 5
 * May 13
 * @ San Antonio
 * L 94–96
 * Kobe Bryant (36)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (12)
 * Kobe Bryant (6)
 * SBC Center 18,797
 * 2–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 6
 * May 15
 * San Antonio
 * L 82–110
 * Shaquille O'Neal (31)
 * Shaquille O'Neal (10)
 * Kobe Bryant (6)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 2–4

Awards and records

 * Shaquille O'Neal, All-NBA First Team
 * Kobe Bryant, All-NBA First Team
 * Kobe Bryant, NBA All-Defensive First Team
 * Shaquille O'Neal, NBA All-Defensive Second Team