Everybody knows him as the “Black Mamba.” Kobe Bryant‘s career is legendary and anybody that’s watched him will tell you that. He was a class act on and off the court. Bryant has a lot of high scoring games, particularly 60-point games. In NBA history, he’s second on the all-time list in such games with six. Kobe is gone but his legacy will never be forgotten. As we honor his legacy, let’s take a look at the top five scoring games in his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Top Five Scoring Games Of Kobe Bryant’s Career
5. Jazz (60 Points) Date: April 12, 2016
What an unbelievable ending to a legendary career. Bryant scored 60 points against the Utah Jazz in his last game ever. He got off to a very slow start but it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. Kobe scored 23 in the fourth and finished 22 of 50 for the game. His 60-point outburst is the most by any NBA player in his final game. This game will be remembered forever as his last moment on an NBA floor.
4. Knicks (61 Points) Date: February 2, 2009
Bryant scored 61 points in the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden. He shot an amazing 61% from the field as he went 19-31 and 20-20 from the free-throw line against the New York Knicks. He knew he had to step up because they were without Andrew Bynum to an injury. His 61 points are the most scored by a visiting player at MSG.
3. Mavericks (62 Points) Date: December 20, 2005
Not only did Kobe score 62 points against the Dallas Mavericks, but he also outscored the whole team in three quarters. He shot 18-31 from the floor and went 22-25 from the free-throw line. Phil Jackson didn’t allow him to play in the fourth quarter. If he did, who knows how many he would have scored. Everyone will remember this game as the game that Kobe outscored an entire team.
2. Trail Blazers (65 Points) Date: March 16, 2007
The Lakers needed every bit of Kobe’s 65 points to beat the Portland Trail Blazers. He went 23-39 from the field and made eight threes. Kobe dropped 24 points in the fourth, including a game-tying three-pointer with under 20 seconds left to force overtime. He scored nine more in overtime and that included a three-pointer to put them ahead with under a minute left. Yet again, he put the team on his back and carried them to a win.
1. Raptors (81 Points) Date: January 22, 2006
His 81-point game is probably the most memorable game of his career. He made 28 from the field with seven of them from three. The Toronto Raptors never would go away and had a good lead in the third. Kobe had enough and put this team on his back as they won by 18. His 81 points are the 2nd most scored in any game in NBA history.
Honorable Mention
Grizzlies (60 Points) Date: March 22, 2007
There’s been a theme with all of these games and that’s Kobe putting the team on his back and that’s what he did yet again. The team needed every last point as they held on to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 121-119. 36 of the 60 came in the second half when they needed it the most. Every team got a little taste of what Kobe could do.
Kobe’s Legacy
Everyone was in total shock to hear the loss of Kobe and his 13-year old daughter Gianna Bryant, as well as the seven other passengers. Kobe left behind a wife (Vanessa Bryant) and three daughters, 17-year old Natalia Bryant, three-year-old Bianka Bryant, and newborn Capri Bryant. Not only was he a legend on the court but he was off the court as well. He inspired millions and millions of people across the world. Kobe was so much more than basketball and that Mamba Mentality reached all over the world and that’s to never give up and there are no excuses, just do it. He’s gone but he and his legend will never be forgotten.
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