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Kobe Bryant: 50 Greatest Moments of Black Mamba’s Career

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) warms up before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) warms up before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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12. Making MSG His Own

An abundance of legendary NBA players have called Madison Square Garden their home. Even more have traveled through those hallowed halls on visiting teams, which makes the following piece of information quite remarkable.

On February 3, 2009, Kobe Bryant set the all-time record for points scored in a single game at Madison Square Garden.

For perspective, the New York Knicks played their first game at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 1946. For 63 years, not a single player who crossed through the iconic venue managed to reach 61 points in a single game.

Bryant scored 61 points in four spectacular quarters on 19-of-31 shooting from the field, a 3-of-6 mark from beyond the arc, and a ridiculous 20-of-20 night at the free throw line.

Prior to Bryant, Bernard King held the all-time record with 60 points scored on Christmas Day, 1984. Michael Jordan—and who else would it be?—was No. 1 amongst visiting players with the 55 points he poured in on March 18, 1995.

Carmelo Anthony later surpassed Bryant record by putting up 62 points on January 25, 2014, but Bryant’s performance at Madison Square Garden was one for the ages.

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