March 23, 2007
28 years, 212 days
On his way to making NBA history, Kobe Bryant made sure to give a fan something to remember for the rest of his life.
In the third quarter of his 50-point outburst against the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, he turned to a boy sitting curtsied.
“I went over to the sideline and I said … watch this 3,” Bryant told reporters. “I’ve got a 3 for you. Then I knocked down a 3 and gave him a high-five.”
It was just one of those nights for Bryant, who joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in NBA history with four consecutive 50-point games in the Lakers’ 111-105 win over the Hornets.
Bryant had scored 65, 50 and 60 in his previous three games and didn’t waste time adding to his collection with 13 in the first quarter.
He added 14 in the next frame, including 10 in the final three minutes before halftime.
But he saved his best for a third quarter which saw the Lakers outscore their hosts, 31-18, behind 17 points from their superstar.
Bryant shot 16-of-29 from the field and knocked down all 16 of his free throw attempts, while being aided by 15 points, 10 rebounds and six assists from Lamar Odom.
The duo’s performances helped overcome stat-stuffing nights from the Hornets’ Chris Paul (28 points, 12 assists) and Tyson Chandler (22 points, 22 rebounds).
Kobe performances on this day in history: