Kobe Bryant greatest games: 61pts at Madison Square Garden (2009)

(2009) Kobe Bryant torches the New York Knicks for 61pts - the most ever by any player at the Madison Square Garden. Its a blessing to do what you love and to have moments like this. That's how Kobe Bryant described his historic performance. With perhaps the need to lift up his team following the news of Andrew Bynum's knee injury, which will sideline him 8 to 12 weeks, KB amazed the MSG crowd by scoring 61pts and leading LA to a 126-117 win over the Knicks. Kobe started the game by hitting his first three shots and was clearly in attack mode. He scored 18pts in the first quarter and finished the half with 34pts - 2nd most by a player this season behind Melo's 36. He added 12 more in the 3rd and spent most of the 4th at the foul line, sanking one free throw after another. Kobe's absolutely stunning offensive performance was rewarded by chants of "MVP" and cheers from the MSG crowd as the reigning MVP left the game with 2 min remaining. He was better than Michael Jordan's 55 in March of 1995, the old record for an opponent. He was better than Bernard King's 60 against the Nets on Christmas in 1984. His 20-for-20 performance from the line on Monday was second only to Dominique Wilkins, who sank all 23 of his free throws against the Bulls in Dec. 1992. Bryant, who also finished with the highest-scoring game in the NBA this season, left to a loud ovation after the 24th 50-point game of his career. He recorded his fifth career 60-point game, the second most in NBA history ...