- Kobe Bryant's Historic 81-point game available to watch and own through new Google Video Store -

- NBA TV to Broadcast Special Performance Three Times This Week, Beginning Tuesday Jan. 24 -

Secaucus, N.J., January 23, 2006 – Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant’s 81-point scoring performance last night against the Toronto Raptors will be available for NBA fans to watch and own through the new Google Video Store (http://video.google.com).

Beginning on Tuesday, January 24, fans will be able to access Bryant’s historic performance on Google. Google recently teamed up with the NBA to launch the Google Video Store, marking the first time fans were able to purchase full 2005-06 NBA contests online 24 hours after the conclusion of games. Bryant’s game, and the Seattle SuperSonics’ thrilling 152-149 double overtime victory over the Phoenix Suns’ last night, will both be available in its entirety for $3.95.

Along with Google, NBA TV, the league’s 24-hour television network, will rebroadcast Bryant’s special game three times this week as part of the network’s Hardwood Classic Special. The game will air on Tuesday, January 24, at 3:00 p.m. ET, Wednesday, January 25 at 1:00 p.m., and on Friday, January 27, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

“Few people can actually say that they have seen Wilt Chamberlain’s record 100-point performance, but millions will be able to say that they watched Kobe Bryant’s unforgettable 81-point game, thanks to Google and NBA TV,” said Steve Herbst, V.P. and General Manager NBA TV.

Starting on Wednesday, the world's only NBA Store will make white Lakers jerseys available with the #81 on it and "Kobe" on the back. Special edition gold Kobe Bryant t-shirts with 81 on the back will also be available at the NBA Store and NBAStore.com later this week. Spalding is creating a commemorative basketball featuring an image of Kobe and his stats from the game which is expected to be available this season.

Bryant recorded the second-highest scoring performance in league history when he registered 81 points against the Toronto Raptors at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, January 22. The fifth player in NBA history to reach the 70-point plateau (Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, David Thompson, David Robinson), Bryant’s single-game scoring performance is second only to Chamberlain’s 100-point game as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers against the New York Knicks on March 2, 1962.