Kobe Bryant’s Top 10 Greatest Games
This past week has been heavy for basketball fans everywhere. It marked 20 years since Kobe Bryant dropped an unfathomable 81 points, and six years since the tragic helicopter crash that took Kobe, his daughter Gianna “Gigi” Bryant, and seven others: John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Payton Chester, Sarah Chester, Ara Zobayan, and Christina Mauser. Moments like these remind us why Kobe’s name still carries so much weight. The grief never fully leaves, but neither does the gratitude for what he gave the game — and the culture.
Kobe’s story always felt larger than basketball. Born in Philadelphia and raised partly in Italy while his father Joe “Jellybean” Bryant played overseas, Kobe grew up fluent in the global language of hoops. By the time he returned stateside, his talent was undeniable. At Lower Merion High School, he became a legend before even touching an NBA floor, leading his team to a state championship and skipping college altogether to head straight to the league. Drafted in 1996 and traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe quickly showed he wasn’t just gifted — he was obsessed.
That obsession turned into one of the greatest careers in basketball history. Five championships. Two Finals MVPs. An MVP season. Endless All-Defensive teams. Stats alone don’t explain why people loved Kobe the way they did, though. It was the mentality — the fearlessness, the refusal to back down, the willingness to take (and make) the biggest shots with the world watching. Kobe represented belief. For fans, especially Black fans, he symbolized excellence earned through relentless work. He made you feel like greatness was possible if you were willing to sacrifice everything for it.
Kobe’s career was built on moments – nights where he turned games into mythology. From playoff battles to international dominance, he had a way of bending time, silencing crowds, and leaving defenders helpless. These weren’t just good games; they were cultural events. Each performance added another layer to the legend, another reason his name is spoken with reverence. Giving Kobe his flowers means revisiting those nights when he reminded us that we were witnessing history in real time.
So with love, respect, and appreciation, here are (in no particular order) Kobe Bryant’s Top 10 Greatest Games — performances that defined his greatness and continue to echo through basketball history.
1. May 13, 2001 vs. Sacramento Kings
Western Conference Semifinals, Game 4 – 48 points, 16 rebounds
This was young Kobe announcing he was ready to run the West. In a hostile Sacramento environment, he went toe-to-toe with a veteran Kings squad and dominated them physically and mentally. The 16 boards showed his all-around hunger, while the 48 points proved he was unguardable. This game helped cement the Lakers’ 2001 playoff run as one of the most dominant in NBA history.
2. January 7, 2003 vs. Seattle Supersonics
45 points, 12 three-pointers
Kobe caught absolute fire in this one, tying the NBA record at the time with 12 threes. It wasn’t just the volume — it was the difficulty, with defenders draped all over him. Every shot felt like a heat check, and he passed every single one. This game showed how Kobe could beat you from anywhere on the floor.
3. March 28, 2003 vs. Washington Wizards
55 points in the final game against Michael Jordan
Facing Michael Jordan one last time, Kobe made it clear the torch had been passed. He scored 42 in the first half alone, attacking relentlessly and without hesitation. It was part tribute, part takeover — Kobe honoring his idol by going right at him. The moment felt symbolic, like one era closing and another fully arriving.
4. December 20, 2005 vs. Dallas Mavericks
62 points
Kobe outscored the entire Dallas Mavericks team through three quarters, which still sounds fake. He was so dominant that he didn’t even need to play the fourth. Every defender thrown at him failed, and the game became a masterclass in offensive efficiency. It was one of the clearest examples of how unstoppable he could be when locked in.
5. January 22, 2006 vs. Toronto Raptors
81 points
This is the game EVERYONE remembers — and for good reason. Kobe put up the second-highest scoring total in NBA history, single-handedly dragging the Lakers back from a huge deficit. The mix of jumpers, drives, free throws, and sheer willpower made it feel unreal. It wasn’t just scoring; it was controlled chaos at the highest level.
6. March 16, 2007 vs. Portland Trail Blazers
65 points
In the middle of one of the greatest scoring stretches ever, Kobe went nuclear against Portland. He scored 50 or more in four straight games during this period, and this night might’ve been the smoothest of them all. The Blazers simply had no answers, no adjustments, no hope. Kobe was operating on a different frequency.
7. April 23, 2008 vs. Denver Nuggets
Western Conference First Round, Game 2 – 49 points, 10 assists
This was MVP Kobe in full control. He diced up Denver’s defense as both a scorer and a playmaker, reading the game two steps ahead. The 10 assists showed his growth and trust in teammates, while the 49 points reminded everyone he could flip the switch whenever needed. It was leadership and dominance rolled into one performance.
8. August 24, 2008 – USA vs. Spain
Olympic Final
On the biggest international stage, Kobe became Team USA’s closer. Against a tough Spanish squad, he hit back-to-back daggers that broke the game open late. This wasn’t about scoring totals – it was about moments, and Kobe owned the biggest ones. He led the U.S. to gold at the 2008 Summer Olympics, restoring USA Basketball’s global respect.
9. February 2, 2009 vs. New York Knicks
61 points at Madison Square Garden
MSG is where legends are made, and Kobe treated it like his personal stage. He torched the Knicks 61, setting the record for the most points ever scored in the building at the time. The crowd, even in New York, couldn’t help but appreciate the greatness. It was Kobe turning an away game into a homecoming.
10. April 13, 2016 vs. Utah Jazz
60 points in final career game
The perfect ending doesn’t exist – except this one. In his last NBA game, a 37-year-old Kobe poured in 60 points, including clutch shots down the stretch to win it. It felt scripted, emotional, and impossible all at once. Kobe didn’t just say goodbye – he gave the world one final reminder of who he was.
Kobe Bryant’s legacy lives on in his greatest game. A legend gone too soon, never forgotten. MAMBA FOREVER!
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Kobe Bryant’s Top 10 Greatest Games was originally published on cassiuslife.com
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