Kobe Bryant’s 61-Point Outburst Sets Madison Square Garden Record
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On Feb. 2, 2009, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant delivered a 61-point masterpiece at Madison Square Garden, establishing a new single-game scoring record for the historic arena and powering the Lakers to a 126-117 win over the New York Knicks.
Bryant’s barrage surpassed the previous overall Garden record of 60 points held by Knicks legend Bernard King and eclipsed Michael Jordan’s 55-point mark for an opposing player. The performance drew spontaneous “MVP” chants from Knicks fans—an unprecedented salute for a visiting star in the building dubbed “The World’s Most Famous Arena.”
Bryant shot efficiently from all areas of the floor and scored in every quarter, finishing 19-for-31 from the field and 20-for-20 at the free-throw line. His output remained the Garden standard until 2014, when Carmelo Anthony posted 62 points for New York. In 2019, Houston’s James Harden matched Bryant’s 61 to tie the opponent record.
Pau Gasol supplemented Bryant’s effort with 31 points, 14 rebounds and five assists. The game marked Los Angeles’ first contest without center Andrew Bynum, sidelined by a torn MCL, yet the Lakers showed no drop-off, securing their third consecutive victory on a six-game trip they ultimately swept.
The win kept the Lakers on course for a return to the NBA Finals, where they went on to capture the 2009 championship. But on this February night in Manhattan, the spotlight belonged solely to Bryant, whose 61 points etched another chapter in his growing legend.
Source: Lakers Nation
