Bryant youngest NBA star to reach 23,000 pts

Kobe Bryant scored 34 points, becoming the youngest National Basketball Association player to reach 23,000 career points in the process, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat Oklahoma City 105-98 Tuesday.

Bryant hit the milestone at 30 years and 171 days by sinking a free throw with 5:13 remaining in the second quarter, reaching the mark five days sooner than the old mark set by Laker legend Wilt Chamberlain.

Spain's Pau Gasol added 22 points and Lamar Odom had 12 points and eight rebounds for the Lakers, who improved their NBA-best record to 42-9.

Kevin Durant scored 31 points to lead the Thunder, who fell to 13-39, the third-worst record in the league. Russell Westbrook added 17 and Jeff Green hit 16 for Oklahoma City, which moved from Seattle before this season.