Kobe Bryant’s best game vs. Tim Duncan: Game 4 of the 2004 Western Conference Finals
Kobe Bryant had many terrific games against the San Antonio Spurs in the playoffs, but his 2004 performance against Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich reigns supreme.
In Game 4 of the 2004 Western Conference Semifinals, Bryant certainly did his part to even the series that the Lakers would eventually win 4-2. Kobe posted 42 points that night on 15 of 27 shooting from the field, 2 of 4 shooting from behind the arc, and 10 of 13 shooting from behind the free-throw line.
It was a highly efficient scoring night for Kobe and made it all the more impressive to see that he chipped six rebounds, five assists, three steals, and a block. Across more than 44 minutes of play, Bryant committed zero turnovers. On the defensive side of the ball, Bryant locked up Tony Parker, limiting him to just 7 of 18 shooting from the field.
Tim Duncan had a terrific game for the San Antonio Spurs and it still wasn’t enough to down Los Angeles. Mr. Fundamentals posted 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists — just two dimes shy of a triple-double.
With the series at stake, Bryant willed the team to victory — a story that we became accustomed to as fans of the Los Angeles Lakers in the Kobe era.