Feb. 21, 2003
24 years, 182 days
Kobe Bryant erupted for his eighth straight 40-point game and nobody — not even Bonzi Wells’ mother — was going to stop him.
“Everybody had their hands in Kobe’s face,” said Wells, who led Portland with 25 points. “My mama had a hand in his face and he still hit it. Kobe is playing at an unbelievable level and hitting big shots.”
Bryant dropped exactly 40 — hitting a jumper with nine seconds left to extend the streak — in leading the Lakers to a 92-84 win over the Trail Blazers.
He was hot from the start, scoring 15 in he first quarter alone and 10 more in the following period.
Bryant also added seven rebounds and five steals, while Shaquille O’Neal returned from injury to provide 24 points and 12 rebounds.
Portland managed to tie the game at 80 with 3:28 left, but Bryant responded with a pair of free throws to spark a 12-1 run that sealed off any chance of a comeback.
Kobe performances on this day in history: