Vs. Brooklyn Nets – Feb. 13, 2001
Though the Nets may currently occupy Brooklyn, Kobe and the Lakers had some great battles with the franchise when they were still not far away in New Jersey. However, Kobe’s greatest performance came in the middle of February 2001 against the New Jersey Nets in an overtime contest. Kobe put forth a trademark scoring effort in addition to putting up big numbers across the box score.
In the overtime effort, Kobe put up 38 points, eight rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block in the effort. Even better, Kobe was incredibly efficient in his scoring effort as he made 14 of his 25 shot attempts on the night and went 2-5 from three-point range. What really vaults this game into the stratosphere of one of Bryant’s best performances of his career, though, was his heroics in the extra period that carried the Lakers to victory.
After struggling to find his offensive rhythm early in the overtime period, he came up in the biggest moment for the Lakers like he has on so many different occasions. With under five second remaining, Kobe drove and got to the rim where he finished through contact for the game-winning and-1. It may have just been a regular season game, but it was a fantastic showing from Bryant who has a myriad of them.
Next: Vs. Hornets/Bobcats