Lakers: 20 Greatest Individual Performances in Franchise History

Shaquille O'Neal (L) and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers talk during the 1st quarter of game two of the NBA Finals against the New Jersey Nets 07 June 2002 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. The Lakers have a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. AFP PHOTO/Lucy NICHOLSON (Photo by LUCY NICHOLSON / AFP) (Photo credit should read LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Shaquille O'Neal (L) and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers talk during the 1st quarter of game two of the NBA Finals against the New Jersey Nets 07 June 2002 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. The Lakers have a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. AFP PHOTO/Lucy NICHOLSON (Photo by LUCY NICHOLSON / AFP) (Photo credit should read LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP via Getty Images)
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18. Kobe Bryant Hits NBA Record 12 Three-Pointers in a Game

In no way is Kobe Bryant known as a sharpshooter from behind the three point line. On his career he only averages just around 33 percent from beyond the arc, considerably less than the league average. That said, it is ironic that Kobe Bryant still holds the record for most three pointers made in a game, tied with Donyell Marshall who made 12 threes, two years after Bryant did so.

That storied night against the Seattle Supersonics, Kobe hoisted up 28 shots, 18 from 3-point range, respectively shooting 57 percent overall and 67 percent from distance, finishing with a cool 45 points in only 37 minutes of play.

What is surprising about that night was the fact that Kobe hit the first of his 12 threes with five and a half minutes left to go in the second quarter, then proceeded to hit five more before halftime. Prior to this game, the Lakers’ record for threes in a game was eight, set by Nick Van Exel in 1997, but Kobe demolished that with ease, hitting 11 by the third quarter.

Currently, the Splash Brothers, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, are on Kobe’s heels, both already with 11 made threes in a game. How long this record will stand the test of time, we will have to wait and see, but fans will always remember the night that Kobe could not miss from beyond the arc.

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