LAS VEGAS – Jan. 6, 2006 – Google has teamed with the NBA to make current season NBA games available online for the first time as part of the launch of its Google Video Store, the first open video marketplace where consumers can buy or rent a wide range of video content, it was announced today by Larry Page, Google’s Co-Founder and President, Products, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

Bryant outscored the entire Mavericks team through three quarters on Dec. 20. Noah Graham/NBAE/Getty Images

People who visit the Google NBA Video homepage at http://video.google.com/nba.html will be able to access 2005-06 NBA games and some of the greatest individual performances in NBA history. Marking the first time NBA fans can purchase full NBA contests online, each NBA game for the rest of this season, including the NBA Playoffs and The Finals, will be available to fans in its entirety for $3.95 per game, 24 hours after its conclusion.

"Google's innovative presentation of information and content is revolutionizing the way people access media," said NBA Commissioner David Stern. "In the increasingly competitive and rapidly changing world of entertainment, Google Video provides us with a new way to deliver the NBA experience to our fans when and how they want it."

In addition, the highest scoring games of some of the NBA’s best players will be available including Kobe Bryant’s 62-point performance in three quarters vs. Dallas last month.

The following career-high scoring performances will be available through Google Video, with more to be added at a later date:

PLAYER PTS MATCHUP DATE Kobe Bryant 62 pts Lakers vs. Mavericks 12/20/05 Tracy McGrady 62 pts Magic vs. Wizards 3/10/04 Shaquille O'Neal 61 pts Lakers vs. Clippers 3/6/00 Allen Iverson 60 pts Sixers vs. Magic 2/12/05 LeBron James 56 pts Cavaliers vs. Raptors 3/20/05 Tim Duncan 53 pts Spurs vs Mavericks 12/26/01 Dirk Nowitzki 53 pts Mavericks vs. Rockets 12/2/04 Vince Carter 51 pts Nets vs. Heat 12/23/05 Dwyane Wade 48 pts Heat vs. Sixers 4/14/05 Kevin Garnett 47 pts Timberwolves vs. Suns 1/4/05 Steve Nash 39 pts Mavericks vs. Blazers 12/11/01

James became the youngest player to score 50 points in an NBA game when he went for 56 on Mar. 20. Ron Turenne/NBAE/Getty Images

NBA games will be the only major professional sports league content available to fans in the Google Video Store. Users can browse a directory of video by category from the store or search Google’s entire collection of videos by simply entering keywords in the search box. Search results are delivered in less than half-a-second. Other content providers to Google Video include CBS' CSI, Survivor, and classic shows like The Brady Bunch; music videos from Sony BMG; and a host of other programming.

Google Video is the first open video marketplace where any video producer, large or small, can upload their content for free and distribute it how they wish. For instance, video prices are set by the content provider and can range from free to any price they set with no minimum or maximum dollar-limit. Owners also have the choice to offer their content with or without copy protection – enabling them greater control over its distribution.

Additionally, all content from Google Video can be viewed with a new player that can be downloaded for free from any playback page. It offers all the traditional playback options (play, pause, stop…) as well as a “thumbnail” navigation feature that enables users to browse through an entire video, or frames at a time, with a simple click of their mouse. The player is designed for viewing Google Video content only, it is a five-megabyte download, and is compatible with Windows XP and Windows 2000.