Kobe Bryant’s legacy continues through the countless memories and milestones he achieved during his 20-year NBA career.
It’s been 5.5 years since Bryant and eight other passengers, including his daughter Gianna, lost their lives in a helicopter accident on Jan. 26, 2020. But the five-time NBA champion remains a fixture in conversations among his peers and basketball fans, who often consider him one of the three greatest players of all time.
Bryant had a storybook career with the Los Angeles Lakers that featured many memorable moments that are still reminisced about all these years later.
Here are eight of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer’s top moments:
Kobe Bryant’s top career moments ranked
8) Kobe Bryant ‘No Flinch’ vs. Matt Barnes
One of Kobe Bryant’s most notable moments came during an interaction with Matt Barnes on March 7, 2010. Barnes was looking to inbound the ball with Bryant standing guard right in front of him. Bryant didn’t flinch when Barnes pretended to throw the ball directly at him, but the mind games between the two led to them becoming teammates on the Lakers.
7) Kobe Bryant scores 61 points at Madison Square Garden
Bryant scored 61 points for the Lakers in a road game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 2, 2009.
The 61 points set a new MSG record for most points scored in a single game at the legendary venue, which stood until Carmelo Anthony scored 62 on Jan. 24, 2014. Bryant still holds the record for most points by a visiting player at the Garden.
Bryant went 19-of-31 from the field and 20-for-20 from the free-throw line in that 2009 game. Despite it being a road game for the Lakers, the crowd gave Bryant a standing ovation after the performance.
Here’s what Bryant had to say about the significance of feat:
6) Kobe Bryant scores 62 points in three quarters
When Bryant was hot on the court, he was hard to deny, and on Dec. 20, 2005, the Dallas Mavericks could not stop him.
The 18-time NBA All-Star scored 62 points in three quarters of play and single-handedly outscored the Mavericks, who had just 61 points ahead of the fourth quarter.
Bryant was 18-of-31 from the field and 22-of-25 from the free-throw line that night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
5) Kobe Bryant leads Lakers to three-peat
The Lakers won three consecutive NBA titles from 2000 to 2002, helping to cement Bryant’s legacy. During that period he was selected to the All NBA second team in 2000 and 2001 and All NBA first team in 2002.
4) Kobe Bryant’s final game
Bryant wanted to go out on his own terms after 20 years in the NBA – all with the Lakers.
In his final game in a Lakers uniform, Bryant had to overcome a rocky 0-for-5 start from the field before sending the home crowd happy with a 60-point performance against the Utah Jazz at the Staples Center on April 13, 2016.
3) Kobe Bryant shoots free throws after tearing Achilles
Bryant suffered several injuries during his career, including a torn Achilles on April 12, 2013.
Just moments after suffering the season-ending injury, Bryant walked over to the free-throw line to successfully shoot a pair of free throws before exiting the game.
The moment was symbolic of the heart and toughness for which Bryant was known for throughout his career.
2) Kobe Bryant, Lakers beat Celtics in 2010 NBA Finals
Bryant led the Lakers to a victory over the rival Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on June 17, 2010. Bryant had also led the Lakers to the 2009 championship, and he was named Finals Most Valuable Player in consecutive years.
The 2010 title was the last of Bryant’s career.
1) Kobe Bryant scores career-high 81 points
Several numbers hold significance when it comes to Bryant’s career, including his jersey numbers: 8 and 24.
Another number is 81.
Bryant scored a career-high 81 points against Jalen Rose and the Toronto Raptors on January 22, 2006. It’s the second-highest single-game scoring total in NBA history, behind only Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 points in 1962.
Byrant scored 55 of his 81 points in the second half as the Lakers beat the Raptors 122-104. He shot 28-for-46 from the field, 7-for-13 from the 3-point line and 18-for-20 from the free throw line.
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