March 2, 2008
29 years, 191 days
When the Lakers needed him in the fourth quarter, Kobe Bryant scored and scored and didn’t stop.
The reigning scoring champion provided all of the Lakers final 14 points of regulation and then added eight more in overtime to propel them past Dallas, 108-104.
Bryant racked up 52 points by shooing 15-of-27 from the field and 20-of-27 from the free throw line, while still finding time to grab 11 rebounds.
“We gave him a single look, then we double-teamed him, then we gave him a triple-team, and he split the triple-team and scored,” Dallas coach Avery Johnson told the media. “We tried to zone him. We tried to funnel him in the trap for a zone and he went the other way. He didn’t cooperate on any of our defenses.”
Dallas led by six halfway through the fourth when Bryant scored nine points in the Lakers’ ensuing 11-2 run.
Though Bryant erupted for 22 points in the fourth quarter alone, Dirk Nowitzki — who finished with 30 point and 13 rebounds — hit a 3-pointer with 2.0 seconds left to force overtime.
But Bryant kept the hot hand going in the extra period, supplying eight of his team’s 15 points.
Despite Bryant, Nowitzki and Pau Gasol (17 points, 14 rebounds) all having strong nights, both teams struggled offensively.
Los Angeles shot just 37.9 percent, but Dallas was even worse at 36.9 percent.
Though L.A. took 16 fewer shots and hit six fewer 3’s, it used a 37-17 advantage in made free throws to down the Mavs.
Kobe performances on this day in history: