Kobe Hits Milestone As Lakers Beat Knicks 95-90

Sunday afternoon Kobe Bryant had a double-double, scoring a game high 39 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, and became the youngest player in NBA history to attain 20,000 points. Oh Yeah, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the New York Knicks while all this was going on 95-90 at MSG. Bryant who is 29 years and 122 days old is 12 days younger than previous record holder Wilt Chamberlain, who was 29 years and 134 days old when he reached the mark. The only other player in NBA history to reach the milestone before turning 30 is Michael Jordan, who was 29 years 326 days, when he attained 20,000 points.

Los Angeles showing no ill effects from the game’s early start, came out hot in the first half leading 31-21 at the end of the first period, and increased the lead to 55-37 at the end of the half. The Lakers led by as much as 25 points, but that’s when Knicks guard Jamal Crawford started getting busy. New York, has been playing without point guard Stephon Marbury for most of the last couple of weeks, as he comes to terms with the death of his father last month. Crawford has had to increase his game on both ends of the floor, and Sunday he carried New York back into this game, getting to within 1 point at 91-90. But that was as close as the Knicks could get as the Lakers held on for the win.

Bryant shot 14-28 from the floor, 5-12 from outside the arc, and 6-7 from the line for his game high 39 points. The only other player in double figures for Los Angeles was center Andrew Bynum, who scored 13 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 assist. New York was led by Crawford who shot 11-25 from the floor, 2-8 from outside the arc, 7-10 from the line for a team high 31 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists. Nate Robinson had a great game from the bench 1 rebound short of a double-double, scoring 16 points, and grabbing 9 boards. David Lee did have a double-double scoring 12 points, 13 rebounds, and Zack Randolph also had a double-double scoring 11 points, 10 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 assist. Los Angeles now has a 17-10 record, while New York is now 8-19.