# 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.

## Draft picks

| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
| 1 | 27 | Chris Jefferies | SF | United States | Fresno State |

## Regular season
### Season standings

| Pacific Divisionvte | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div |
| y-Sacramento Kings | 59 | 23 | .720 | – | 35–6 | 24–17 | 17–7 |
| x-Los Angeles Lakers | 50 | 32 | .610 | 9 | 31–10 | 19–22 | 15–9 |
| x-Portland Trail Blazers | 50 | 32 | .610 | 9 | 27–14 | 23–18 | 15–9 |
| x-Phoenix Suns | 44 | 38 | .537 | 15 | 30–11 | 14–27 | 12–12 |
| Seattle SuperSonics | 40 | 42 | .488 | 19 | 25–16 | 15–26 | 11–13 |
| Golden State Warriors | 38 | 44 | .463 | 21 | 24–17 | 14–27 | 8–16 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 27 | 55 | .329 | 32 | 16–25 | 11–30 | 6–18 |
| # | Western Conferencevte | Western Conferencevte | Western Conferencevte | Western Conferencevte | Western Conferencevte |
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
| 1 | z-San Antonio Spurs | 60 | 22 | .732 | – |
| 2 | y-Sacramento Kings | 59 | 23 | .720 | 1 |
| 3 | x-Dallas Mavericks | 60 | 22 | .732 | – |
| 4 | x-Minnesota Timberwolves | 51 | 31 | .622 | 9 |
| 5 | x-Los Angeles Lakers | 50 | 32 | .610 | 10 |
| 6 | x-Portland Trail Blazers | 50 | 32 | .610 | 10 |
| 7 | x-Utah Jazz | 47 | 35 | .573 | 13 |
| 8 | x-Phoenix Suns | 44 | 38 | .537 | 16 |
| 9 | Houston Rockets | 43 | 39 | .524 | 17 |
| 10 | Seattle SuperSonics | 40 | 42 | .488 | 20 |
| 11 | Golden State Warriors | 38 | 44 | .463 | 22 |
| 12 | Memphis Grizzlies | 28 | 54 | .341 | 32 |
| 13 | Los Angeles Clippers | 27 | 55 | .329 | 33 |
| 14 | Denver Nuggets | 17 | 65 | .207 | 43 |
    z - clinched division title
    y - clinched division title
    x - clinched playoff spot

### Record vs. opponents

2002-03 NBA Records :
| Team | ATL | BOS | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN | NJN | NOH | NYK | ORL | PHI | PHO | POR | SAC | SAS | SEA | TOR | UTA | WAS |
| Atlanta | – | 0–3 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
| Boston | 3–0 | – | 2–2 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 3–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 |
| Chicago | 2–2 | 2–2 | – | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 |
| Cleveland | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | – | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 |
| Dallas | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | – | 4–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 |
| Denver | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | – | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 |
| Detroit | 3–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | – | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 |
| Golden State | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 4–0 | 1–1 | – | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 |
| Houston | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | – | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
| Indiana | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | – | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
| L.A. Clippers | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | – | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 |
| L.A. Lakers | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | – | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 |
| Memphis | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | – | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
| Miami | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | – | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 |
| Milwaukee | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | – | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–1 |
| Minnesota | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | – | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 |
| New Jersey | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | – | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 |
| New Orleans | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | – | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 |
| New York | 3–1 | 0–4 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | – | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
| Orlando | 1–2 | 2–3 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | – | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
| Philadelphia | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | – | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 |
| Phoenix | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | – | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
| Portland | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | – | 1–3 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
| Sacramento | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | – | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 |
| San Antonio | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | – | 3–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 |
| Seattle | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–3 | – | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
| Toronto | 3–1 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | – | 0–2 | 3–1 |
| Utah | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–0 | – | 1–1 |
| Washington | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | — |

## Game log
### Pre-season

2002 preseason game log Total: 3–5 :
Preseason
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
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
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
3
October 12
Denver
L 81–103
Kobe Bryant (20)
Soumaila Samake (8)
Ford Center (Oklahoma City, OK) 13,952
1–2
4
October 17
Golden State
W 91–89
Kobe Bryant (22)
Samaki Walker (13)
Arrowhead Pond (Anaheim, CA) 17,027
2-2
5
October 19
Phoenix
L 84–90
Kobe Bryant (23)
Samaki Walker (15)
Thomas & Mack Center (Las Vegas, NV) 16,172
2–3
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
7
October 24
Milwaukee
W 98-93
Tracy Murray (21)
Soumaila Samake (9)
Slava Medvedenko (5)
Staples Center 15,127
3–4
8
October 25
Sacramento
L 88-93
Kobe Bryant (23)
Devean George (9)
Kobe Bryant (12)
Staples Center 18,997
3–5 :
2002–03 season schedule :

### Regular season

2002–03 game log Total: 50–32 (home: 31–10; road: 19–22) :
October: 0–2 (home: 0–1; road: 0–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
1
October 29
San Antonio
L 82-87
Kobe Bryant (27)
Bryant & Walker (10)
Kobe Bryant (5)
Staples Center 18,997
0–1
2
October 30
@ Portland
L 90–102
Kobe Bryant (25)
Kobe Bryant (10)
Devean George (5)
Rose Garden 20,225
0–2 :
November: 6–9 (home: 4–2; road: 2–7)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
3
November 1
@ L.A. Clippers
W 108-93
Kobe Bryant (33)
Kobe Bryant (15)
Kobe Bryant (12)
Staples Center 20,474
1–2
4
November 3
Portland
W 98-95 (OT)
Kobe Bryant (33)
Kobe Bryant (14)
Kobe Bryant (12)
Staples Center 18,997
2-2
5
November 5
@ Cleveland
L 70-89
Kobe Bryant (15)
Kobe Bryant (13)
Kobe Bryant (9)
Gund Arena 19,833
2–3
6
November 7
@ Boston
L 95-98 (OT)
Kobe Bryant (41)
Samaki Walker (12)
Robert Horry (5)
Fleet Center 18,624
2–4
7
November 8
@ Washington
L 99–100
Kobe Bryant (27)
Rick Fox (8)
Robert Horry (5)
MCI Center 20,173
2–5
8
November 12
Atlanta
L 83–95
Kobe Bryant (21)
Samaki Walker (10)
Kobe Bryant (8)
Staples Center 18,997
2–6
9
November 15
Golden State
W 96-89 (OT)
Kobe Bryant (45)
Fox & Walker (14)
Brian Shaw (8)
Staples Center 18,997
3–6
10
November 17
Houston
L 89–93
Kobe Bryant (46)
Horry & Walker (9)
Kobe Bryant (4)
Staples Center 18,997
3–7
11
November 19
@ Dallas
L 72-98
Kobe Bryant (16)
Fox & Walker (9)
Kobe Bryant (5)
American Airlines Center 20,096
3–8
12
November 20
@ San Antonio
L 88-95
Kobe Bryant (24)
Samaki Walker (10)
Kobe Bryant (7)
SBC Center 18,797
3–9
13
November 22
Chicago
W 86–73
Kobe Bryant (21)
Kobe Bryant (10)
Kobe Bryant (7)
Staples Center 18,997
4–9
14
November 24
Milwaukee
W 111–99
Shaquille O'Neal (24)
Bryant & O'Neal (11)
Kobe Bryant (11)
Staples Center 18,997
5–9
15
November 26
@ Miami
L 85-97
Kobe Bryant (21)
Robert Horry (9)
Kobe Bryant (4)
American Airlines Arena 16,500
5–10
16
November 27
@ Orlando
L 102–112
Kobe Bryant (38)
Bryant & Fox (10)
Fox & Horry (6)
TD Waterhouse Centre 17,283
5–11
17
November 29
@ Memphis
W 112-106 (OT)
Kobe Bryant (45)
Shaquille O'Neal (13)
Rick Fox (6)
Pyramid Arena 19,351
6–11 :
December: 7–8 (home: 5–3; road: 2–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
18
December 1
Minnesota
L 107-110
Shaquille O'Neal (31)
Shaquille O'Neal (13)
Kobe Bryant (11)
Staples Center 18,997
6–12
19
December 3
Memphis
W 101-91
Shaquille O'Neal (28)
Kobe Bryant (10)
Kobe Bryant (11)
Staples Center 18,512
7–12
20
December 4
@ Utah
L 85-93
Shaquille O'Neal (23)
Shaquille O'Neal (15)
Kobe Bryant (5)
Delta Center 19,657
7–13
21
December 6
Dallas
W 105-103
Kobe Bryant (27)
Shaquille O'Neal (11)
Kobe Bryant (7)
Staples Center 18,997
8–13
22
December 8
Utah
W 110-101
Shaquille O'Neal (32)
Shaquille O'Neal (11)
Kobe Bryant (14)
Staples Center 18,997
9–13
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
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
25
December 15
Orlando
W 107-84
Shaquille O'Neal (30)
Shaquille O'Neal (14)
Kobe Bryant (8)
Staples Center 18,997
10–15
26
December 17
@ Minnesota
L 80-96
Shaquille O'Neal (17)
Shaquille O'Neal (9)
Kobe Bryant (6)
Target Center 16,447
10–16
27
December 19
@ New Jersey
L 71-98
Kobe Bryant (21)
Robert Horry (11)
Kobe Bryant (5)
Continental Airlines Arena 20,049
10–17
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
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
30
December 25
Sacramento
L 99-105
Bryant & O'Neal (27)
Shaquille O'Neal (17)
Kobe Bryant (6)
Staples Center 18,997
11–19
31
December 28
@ Denver
W 112-93
Kobe Bryant (39)
Shaquille O'Neal (13)
Derek Fisher (9)
Pepsi Center 19,099
12–19
32
December 29
Toronto
W 104-88
Shaquille O'Neal (35)
Shaquille O'Neal (10)
Kobe Bryant (12)
Staples Center 18,997
13–19 :
January: 8–4 (home: 5–2; road: 3–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
33
January 4
@ Phoenix
L 93-107
Kobe Bryant (37)
Shaquille O'Neal (9)
Kobe Bryant (7)
American West Arena 19,023
13–20
34
January 5
Phoenix
W 109-97
Shaquille O'Neal (36)
Shaquille O'Neal (16)
Rick Fox (8)
Staples Center 18,642
14–20
35
January 7
Seattle
W 119-98
Kobe Bryant (45)
Robert Horry (8)
Shaquille O'Neal (7)
Staples Center 18,997
15–20
36
January 10
Cleveland
W 115-99
Shaquille O'Neal (26)
Kobe Bryant (10)
Kobe Bryant (11)
Staples Center 18,997
16–20
37
January 12
Miami
W 106-81
Kobe Bryant (36)
Samaki Walker (16)
Shaquille O'Neal (5)
Staples Center 18,997
17–20
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
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
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
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
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
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
44
January 31
@ Sacramento
W 124-113
Kobe Bryant (38)
Shaquille O'Neal (10)
Shaquille O'Neal (6)
ARCO Arena 17,317
21–23 :
February: 11–3 (home: 7–2; road: 4–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
45
February 1
Utah
W 99-87
Kobe Bryant (42)
Shaquille O'Neal (13)
Robert Horry (6)
Staples Center 18,997
22–23
46
February 4
@ Indiana
W 97-94
Kobe Bryant (35)
Shaquille O'Neal (12)
Fisher & Fox (5)
Conseco Fieldhouse 18,345
23-23
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
All-Star Break
48
February 11
Denver
W 121-93
Kobe Bryant (42)
Kareem Rush (9)
4 players tied (5)
Staples Center 18,848
25–23
49
February 12
@ Denver
W 113-102
Kobe Bryant (51)
Samaki Walker (14)
Bryant & Fox (4)
Pepsi Center 17,757
26–23
50
February 14
San Antonio
L 95-103
Kobe Bryant (44)
Robert Horry (15)
Robert Horry (6)
Staples Center 18,997
26–24
51
February 16
New York
L 110-117
Kobe Bryant (40)
Robert Horry (11)
Derek Fisher (8)
Staples Center 18,997
26–25
52
February 18
Houston
W 106-99 (2OT)
Kobe Bryant (52)
Robert Horry (11)
Kobe Bryant (7)
Staples Center 18,997
27–25
53
February 19
@ Utah
W 93-87
Kobe Bryant
Bryant & George (6)
Derek Fisher (4)
Delta Center 19,911
28–25
54
February 21
Portland
W 92-84
Kobe Bryant (40)
Shaquille O'Neal (12)
Robert Horry (5)
Staples Center 18,997
29–25
55
February 23
Seattle
W 106-101
Kobe Bryant (41)
Shaquille O'Neal (17)
Kareem Rush (7)
Staples Center 18,997
30–25
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
57
February 27
Detroit
W 95-85
Shaquille O'Neal (35)
Shaquille O'Neal (14)
Rick Fox (6)
Staples Center 18,997
32–25
58
February 28
@ Seattle
L 90-107
Kobe Bryant (34)
Shaquille O'Neal (11)
Kobe Bryant (9)
KeyArena 17,072
32–26 :
March: 11–5 (home: 6–0; road: 5–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
59
March 5
Indiana
W 97-95
Shaquille O'Neal (26)
Shaquille O'Neal (11)
Robert Horry (6)
Staples Center 18,997
33–26
60
March 7
Minnesota
W 106-96
Shaquille O'Neal (40)
Shaquille O'Neal (14)
Kobe Bryant (7)
Staples Center 18,997
34–26
61
March 9
Philadelphia
W 106-92
Shaquille O'Neal (39)
Shaquille O'Neal (10)
Kobe Bryant (9)
Staples Center 18,997
35–26
62
March 11
@ Chicago
L 99-116
Kobe Bryant (36)
Shaquille O'Neal (10)
Bryant & Fisher (5)
United Center 23,122
35–27
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
64
March 14
@ Minnesota
W 106-99
Kobe Bryant (30)
Shaquille O'Neal (15)
Shaquille O'Neal (6)
Target Center 20,199
36–28
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
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
67
March 20
@ Sacramento
L 99-107
Kobe Bryant (34)
Bryant & O'Neal (13)
Robert Horry (5)
ARCO Arena 17,317
38–29
68
March 21
Boston
W 104-96
Shaquille O'Neal (48)
Shaquille O'Neal (20)
Kobe Bryant (7)
Staples Center 18,997
39–29
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
70
March 25
@ Atlanta
W 108-91
Shaquille O'Neal (31)
Kobe Bryant (10)
Bryant & Fisher (6)
Philips Arena 19,870
40–30
71
March 26
@ Houston
W 96-93
Shaquille O'Neal (39)
Kobe Bryant (9)
Kobe Bryant (5)
Compaq Center 16,285
41–30
72
March 28
Washington
W 108-94
Kobe Bryant (55)
Shaquille O'Neal (13)
Derek Fisher (7)
Staples Center 18,997
42–30
73
March 30
@ Seattle
L 98-119
Shaquille O'Neal (34)
Robert Horry (8)
Rick Fox (6)
KeyArena 17,072
42–31
74
March 31
Memphis
W 110-94
Shaquille O'Neal (34)
Shaquille O'Neal (11)
Kobe Bryant (8)
Staples Center 18,997
43–31 :
April: 7–1 (home: 4–0; road: 3–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
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
76
April 4
@ Memphis
W 102-101
Shaquille O'Neal (33)
Shaquille O'Neal (19)
Kobe Bryant (6)
Pyramid Arena 19,351
45–31
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
78
April 8
Dallas
W 108-99
Devean George (21)
Horry & O'Neal (10)
Derek Fisher (8)
Staples Center 18,997
47–31
79
April 10
Sacramento
W 117-104
Kobe Bryant (34)
Shaquille O'Neal (16)
Derek Fisher (8)
Staples Center 18,997
48–31
80
April 13
@ Portland
L 99-101
Bryant & O'Neal (36)
Shaquille O'Neal (11)
Kobe Bryant (7)
Rose Garden 20,580
48–32
81
April 15
Denver
W 126-104
Kobe Bryant (32)
Kobe Bryant (8)
Jannero Pargo (5)
Staples Center 18,997
49–32
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 :
2002–03 schedule :

### Playoffs

2003 playoff game log Total: 6–6 (home: 4–2; road: 2–4) :
First round: 4–2 (home: 2–1; road: 2–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1
April 20
@ Minnesota
W 117–98
Kobe Bryant (39)
Shaquille O'Neal (10)
Bryant & Horry (8)
Target Center 17,097
1–0
2
April 22
@ Minnesota
L 91–119
Bryant & O'Neal (27)
Shaquille O'Neal (14)
Kobe Bryant (8)
Target Center 17,132
1–1
3
April 24
Minnesota
L 110–114 (OT)
Kobe Bryant (30)
Shaquille O'Neal (17)
Kobe Bryant (6)
Staples Center 18,997
1–2
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
5
April 29
@ Minnesota
W 120–90
Kobe Bryant (32)
Shaquille O'Neal (11)
Devean George (6)
Target Center 20,098
3–2
6
May 1
Minnesota
W 101–85
Kobe Bryant (31)
Shaquille O'Neal (17)
Shaquille O'Neal (9)
Staples Center 18,997
4–2 :
Conference Semi-finals: 2–4 (home: 2–1; road: 0–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
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
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
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
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
5
May 13
@ San Antonio
L 94–96
Kobe Bryant (36)
Shaquille O'Neal (12)
Kobe Bryant (6)
SBC Center 18,797
2–3
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 :
2003 schedule :

## Player statistics
### Regular season

| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| Kobe Bryant | 82 | 82 | 41.5 | .451 | .383 | .843 | 6.9 | 5.9 | 2.2 | .8 | 30.0 |
| Derek Fisher | 82 | 82 | 34.5 | .437 | .401 | .800 | 2.9 | 3.6 | 1.1 | .2 | 10.5 |
| Rick Fox | 76 | 75 | 28.7 | .422 | .375 | .754 | 4.3 | 3.3 | .9 | .2 | 9.0 |
| Devean George | 71 | 7 | 22.7 | .390 | .371 | .790 | 4.0 | 1.3 | .8 | .5 | 6.9 |
| Robert Horry | 80 | 26 | 29.3 | .387 | .288 | .769 | 6.4 | 2.9 | 1.2 | .8 | 6.5 |
| Mark Madsen | 54 | 22 | 14.5 | .423 | . | .590 | 2.9 | .7 | .3 | .4 | 3.2 |
| Stanislav Medvedenko | 58 | 10 | 10.7 | .434 | .000 | .721 | 2.4 | .3 | .2 | .1 | 4.4 |
| Tracy Murray | 31 | 0 | 6.2 | .324 | .211 | .778 | .7 | .4 | .2 | .1 | 2.0 |
| Shaquille O'Neal | 67 | 66 | 37.8 | .574 | . | .622 | 11.1 | 3.1 | .6 | 2.4 | 27.5 |
| Jannero Pargo | 34 | 0 | 10.1 | .398 | .292 | 1.000 | 1.1 | 1.1 | .4 | .1 | 2.5 |
| Kareem Rush | 76 | 0 | 11.5 | .393 | .279 | .696 | 1.2 | .9 | .1 | .1 | 3.0 |
| Soumaila Samake | 13 | 1 | 5.9 | .417 | . | 1.000 | 1.8 | .3 | .0 | .4 | 1.7 |
| Brian Shaw | 72 | 0 | 12.5 | .387 | .349 | .667 | 1.7 | 1.4 | .4 | .2 | 3.5 |
| Samaki Walker | 67 | 39 | 18.6 | .420 | .000 | .653 | 5.5 | 1.0 | .3 | .8 | 4.4 |

### Playoffs

| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| Kobe Bryant | 12 | 12 | 44.3 | .432 | .403 | .827 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 1.2 | .1 | 32.1 |
| Derek Fisher | 12 | 12 | 35.3 | .520 | .617 | .818 | 3.0 | 1.8 | 1.5 | .1 | 12.8 |
| Rick Fox | 4 | 4 | 19.8 | .444 | .500 | .750 | 1.5 | 1.8 | .3 | .3 | 6.0 |
| Devean George | 11 | 7 | 28.9 | .449 | .333 | .889 | 4.5 | 2.2 | 1.0 | .4 | 8.0 |
| Robert Horry | 12 | 10 | 31.1 | .319 | .053 | .556 | 6.7 | 3.1 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 5.6 |
| Mark Madsen | 12 | 2 | 14.1 | .419 | .000 | .438 | 2.3 | 1.0 | .3 | .2 | 2.8 |
| Stanislav Medvedenko | 9 | 0 | 8.1 | .556 | . | .667 | 2.0 | .1 | .1 | .1 | 3.8 |
| Shaquille O'Neal | 12 | 12 | 40.1 | .535 | . | .621 | 14.8 | 3.7 | .6 | 2.8 | 27.0 |
| Jannero Pargo | 11 | 0 | 11.7 | .333 | .267 | .750 | .8 | 1.3 | .7 | .1 | 2.1 |
| Kareem Rush | 9 | 0 | 7.1 | .379 | .364 | 1.000 | .3 | .2 | .1 | .0 | 3.3 |
| Brian Shaw | 12 | 1 | 17.9 | .306 | .391 | .667 | 3.2 | 2.0 | .3 | .4 | 3.2 |
| Samaki Walker | 9 | 0 | 5.4 | .400 | . | . | 1.4 | .2 | .1 | .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