Feb. 24, 2013
34 years, 185 days
Two days after Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban suggested in a radio interview that the Lakers might consider using the amnesty clause to let go of Kobe Bryant, the future Hall of Famer put a show on in Cuban’s building.
“Amnesty THAT,” Bryant tweeted after scoring 38 points in a 103-99 win in Dallas.
Bryant shot 13-of-21 from the field, including 4-of-5 on 3-pointers, while also collecting 12 rebounds and seven assists.
The Laker was brilliant in a 14-point fourth quarter. The Mavericks took an 82-80 lead, but Bryant hit back-to-back-to-back shots, though Dallas nonetheless extended its lead to 90-87.
From there, the Lakers rolled off seven unanswered points to take the lead for good.
Bryant — who also eclipsed the career 31,000-point mark — scored seven himself in the final three minutes to win his duel with Dirk Nowitzki (30 points, 13 rebounds).
“He’s been the best player in my decade,” Nowitzki told reporters. “I’ve been in the NBA a long time and he’s the one player I love to watch.”
Kobe performances on this day in history: