Kobe Bryant passed former team-mate Shaquille O’Neal for fifth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list on Monday but Philadelphia spoiled the moment with a 95-90 victory over Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers.
Bryant came into the game with 28,573 career points and needing 24 points to move past O’Neal for fifth on the career list.
He scored 24 in the first half, draining a long-range jump shot with just over five minutes remaining in the second quarter to get to 24 points for the night.
O’Neal, who won three titles with Bryant in nine seasons they played together for the Lakers, retired last season with a total of 28,596 points in his 19-year NBA career.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, with 38,387 points, leads the NBA’s career scoring list, followed by Karl Malone (36,928), Michael Jordan (32,292) and Wilt Chamberlain (31,419).
Lakers coach Mike Brown said on Monday he thought Bryant, a 16-year NBA veteran, could reach the top of the list before he’s done.
“It might be tough for him to pass Kareem, but he should get close. He should catch Malone,” Brown said after the Lakers practiced on Monday.
Brown wasn’t on the sideline for the game as he served a one-game suspension for bumping a game official in the Lakers’ loss at Utah on Saturday.
With Bryant leading the way the Lakers led 50-46 at halftime, but the 76ers edged ahead in the third quarter.
Sixers reserve Lou Williams played a key role, scoring 14 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter as Philadelphia improved to 13-3 at home.
The New York Knicks beat Utah 99-88 despite the absence of grieving Amare Stoudemire and an injury to Carmelo Anthony.
Stoudemire left the team on Monday to be with his family in Florida, where his elder brother Hazell was killed in a road accident early in the day.
The Knicks held a moment of silence for Hazell Stoudemire before the game, and coach Mike D’Antoni said it wasn’t yet certain when Amare Stoudemire, the team’s second-leading scorer would return.
“I know he’s very close to his brother,” D’Antoni said. “So my heart’s out for him. He cherishes his family. He does a great job of maintaining all relationships. This is a trying moment for him.”
The Knicks lost forward Anthony midway through the first quarter to a right groin strain.
It’s just the latest injury Anthony has dealt with in the lockout-shortened season, including a sprained right ankle and injuries to his left wrist and right thumb.
In other matches, Chris Paul starred for the Los Angeles Clippers as they overcame a 15-point deficit to beat Orlando 107-102 in an overtime thriller.
In other overtime matches, Washington beat Toronto 111-108 and Oklahoma City snuck home over Portland 111-107.
Phoenix edged out Atlanta 99-90, Chicago smashed New Jersey 108-87, Sacramento defeated New Orleans 100-92, San Antonio were too good for Memphis 89-84 and Houston were 99-90 victors over Denver.
