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Los Angeles Lakers: 10 greatest individual Game 7 performances of all time

By Jordanna Clark

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates as the Lakers defeat the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates as the Lakers defeat the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant
AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images) /

No. 6: Kobe Bryant – 2007 Western Conference Finals

The most memorable story from the Western Conference Finals 2007 series between the Lakers and Sacramento Kings is going to be saved for a number higher up on the top-10 list (hint, hint), but Kobe Bryant’s performance that night was statistically his best in a Game 7 matchup. He finished with 30 points, went 10-for-26 from the field with 10 rebounds, seven assists and two steals in 53 minutes.

Yes, 53 minutes because the game went into overtime. What’s most surprising about this Game 7 being Kobe’s best is that he didn’t even score a field goal in the fourth quarter or in extra play. He did, however, knockdown two free throws to give Los Angeles a six-point lead with 6.4 seconds on the clock in overtime. After doing so, Bryant pounded his fist into the air to celebrate, something that he did many times during his 20-year career in purple and gold.

The 112-106 victory over the Kings was important for obvious reasons, such as it’s what led the Lakers to an NBA Finals win over the New Jersey Nets. It also helped to define the superiority that was the Kobe and Shaq duo. The two averaged close to 60 points in the seven-game series.

The final four games in the series came down to the last second, so it was a relief that Los Angeles had made it through one of its toughest challenges. Bryant agreed, too, and said: “We kept our composure. That’s why championship experience shows through. Now we have a chance to defend our title. Now it’s just time to go after it.”

Yet another classic Kobe performance – truly one of the best to ever play the game.

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