Bryant’s 37-Point Night Lifts Lakers Past Bucks Despite Respiratory Infection
kobe-bryant-37-points-respiratory-infection-lakers-bucks-2008
LOS ANGELES — Playing through an upper respiratory infection, Kobe Bryant poured in 37 points on Jan. 11, 2008, guiding the Los Angeles Lakers to a 110-105 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks at Staples Center.
Bryant opened the game with 16 first-quarter points, helping Los Angeles build a 29-22 lead. The Bucks, led by Mo Williams, trimmed the margin to four by halftime, but could not overtake the Lakers during a back-and-forth third period in which both sides scored 24.
In the final quarter, Bryant matched his opening burst with another 16 points to secure the win. The All-Star guard finished 12-for-25 from the field and added five rebounds, seven assists and two steals.
Andrew Bynum supported the effort with 25 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks, while the Lakers’ starting lineup also featured Derek Fisher, Lamar Odom and Luke Walton. Milwaukee entered the night 5-16 on the road and fell just short of an upset.
During brief rests on the bench, Bryant draped a towel over his head while gasping for air, later acknowledging that weakness from the infection made it difficult to maintain rhythm. Nevertheless, his performance echoed other memorable NBA appearances by stars battling illness.
Source: Lakers Nation
