Charles Barkley did it 22 seasons ago. Gasol’s teammate, Matt Barnes(notes), did it two days ago.
Although they can’t explain how the Los Angeles Lakers produced two essentially perfect individual games in one long weekend, Gasol and Barnes aren’t fighting over who did it better.
Gasol scored 28 points without missing a shot, Kobe Bryant(notes) added 20 points and the Lakers took a 30-point lead in the first half of their fourth straight victory, 117-89 over the Golden State Warriors.
Gasol's perfect night
Gasol's perfect night
Gasol's perfect night
Gasol went 10 for 10 from the field, 8 for 8 from the free-throw line, and had nine rebounds and five assists. Until Gasol shredded Golden State’s shoddy interior defense, Barkley and Barnes were the only players ever to produce games of at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists without missing on at least five shots from the field and the line.
“Matt told me, ‘Welcome to the club,”’ Gasol said. “I said, ‘Happy to be in there.’ It’s kind of weird that it happened that way. It’s weird, but it’s obviously a good sign.”
Barnes scored 24 points and hit seven shots—five 3-pointers—without a miss at Minnesota on Friday night. While Barnes was impressed by Gasol’s copycat effort, he noted the 7-foot Spaniard’s advantages as well.
“He was playing against little midgets, though,” Barnes joked. “That’s not something you play for, but 10 for 10, 8 for 8, he topped me. It’s amazing.”
Gasol’s feat was tested when the officials ordered both teams back on the court to complete the final second of the third quarter, which they thought was already over. Gasol calmly hit two free throws, then sat out the fourth quarter.
When comparing the feats, Gasol gave the edge to Barnes, noting the tougher shots in the smaller man’s performance.
“I didn’t have to make five or six 3-pointers,” Gasol said. “My teammates were able to find me near the basket. I wasn’t thinking about what Matt did. I was just converting.”
