Posted 2009/11/07 at 2:55 am EST
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 7, 2009 (Reuters) — Kobe Bryant became the youngest NBA player to reach 24,000 points on Friday, the Lakers' guard scoring 41 to lead injury-hit Los Angeles to a 114-98 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Bryant made 19-of-30 shots for his second 40-point performance in a row, and his third in four games, as last season's NBA champions carved out another win despite the absence of injured starters Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.
"It's always a great honor to be in that elite category," Bryant told reporters.
"To build momentum and get back to that championship level we need to have everybody here. Hopefully, (our guys) get back sooner than later."
Ron Artest had 11 of his 19 points in the third quarter where the Lakers (5-1) used a 9-0 spurt to build a 74-64 advantage.
Artest added seven assists and six rebounds as he continues to grow comfortable with his new team having signed with Los Angeles in the off-season.
Rudy Gay recorded a team-high 22 points and Zach Randolph had 21 for the Grizzlies (1-5), who lost their fourth in a row.
Already without the services of Spanish 7-footer Gasol, who has yet to play this season because of an injured hamstring, Lakers center Bynum sprained his right elbow during an overtime win over Houston on Wednesday.
D.J. Mbenga filled in at starting center and contributed 13 rebounds, while Josh Powell had 13 points off the bench to help the Lakers win their fourth successive game.
With Los Angeles dealing with injuries, Bryant has taken on a heavy scoring load. After the Grizzlies took a 51-49 halftime lead, Bryant produced 15 points in the pivotal third where the home team surged to a big lead.
"This is a guy who sees a weakness in a team and exploits it," said Lakers coach Phil Jackson.
"Tonight we kept going down there in the post to him. That was killer instinct out there tonight."
Allen Iverson, who was signed in the off-season but has complained about his reserve role with Memphis, had eight points as the Grizzlies fell to 0-4 on their five-game road trip.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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