Luka Doncic passes Kobe Bryant, Jerry West in Lakers history

Lakers star sets franchise record for most 35-point games in a season

Mar. 17, 2026 at 6:11am

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Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic has passed NBA legends Kobe Bryant and Jerry West for the most 35-point games in a single season in Lakers history. Doncic's scoring outbursts have been a key factor in the Lakers' recent hot streak, as the team looks to build a championship-contending roster around the 26-year-old superstar.

Why it matters

Doncic's historic scoring pace highlights his status as one of the NBA's elite players and a centerpiece for the Lakers' future. Surpassing icons like Bryant and West in the Lakers' record books cements Doncic's place among the franchise's all-time greats, as the team aims to construct a title-winning team around the young superstar.

The details

Doncic scored 36 points in the Lakers' 100-92 win over the Houston Rockets, giving him a league-leading 25 games with 35 or more points this season. This performance allowed Doncic to pass Bryant and West for the eighth-most 35-point games in a single season in Lakers history.

  • On March 16, 2026, Luka Doncic scored 36 points in the Lakers' win over the Rockets.
  • This was Doncic's 25th game with 35 or more points this season, the most by a Lakers player since Kobe Bryant and Jerry West.

The players

Luka Doncic

A 26-year-old superstar forward for the Los Angeles Lakers who is leading the NBA in 35-point games this season.

Kobe Bryant

A legendary Lakers guard and one of the NBA's all-time great scorers, whose single-season 35-point game record Doncic has now surpassed.

Jerry West

A Hall of Fame Lakers guard who is also one of the franchise's all-time leading scorers, and whose single-season 35-point game record Doncic has now surpassed.

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What they’re saying

“Dončić being just 26 gives the Lakers a far longer timeline to build a championship-contending team, but that doesn't mean they can slow down and take their time. Dončić told Lakers president Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick in May that he's not interested in taking the slow approach in building a contender.”

— Jasmyn Wimbish, CBS Sports Writer (CBS Sports)

“We gotta get him some more shots and keep getting him involved on offense.”

— Luka Doncic (Media)

What’s next

The Lakers will look to continue their winning streak and build momentum heading into the playoffs, with Luka Doncic leading the charge as they aim to assemble a championship-caliber roster around the young superstar.

The takeaway

Luka Doncic's historic scoring pace and his willingness to push the Lakers to build a contender around him underscores his status as one of the NBA's elite players. Surpassing Lakers legends Kobe Bryant and Jerry West in the franchise's record books cements Doncic's place among the all-time greats in Lakers history.