Remembering Kobe Bryant's MSG Record 61 Points Against the Knicks.

On February 2, 2009, the 38-9 Los Angeles Lakers traveled to New York to take on the 21-26 Knicks in The Garden. Bryant wasted no time going to work, posting 18 points in the opening frame as the Lakers built a lead they would not relinquish.

Bryant would score 16, 12, and 15 points in the following three quarters as the Lakers took home the 126-117 victory. Bryant's 15 fourth quarter points came in just 6:03 of game time. 

Bryant had a versatile and efficient attack on the Knicks, going 19-of-31 from the field and three-of-six from deep. He sank all 20 of his free throws. 

The Knicks tried a number of defenders on Bryant, but none of Quentin Richardson, Chris Dun, Wilson Chandler or Jared Jeffries proved to be effective in stopping The Black Mamba.

Bryant's 61 points was an MSG record that stood until Carmelo Anthony's 62 point onslaught of the Charlotte Bobcats in 2014. 

Bryant played 34 games against the Knicks in his career, scoring 20 or more in 25. He had 15 30-point games against the Knicks, and eclipsed the 40-point mark on five occasions. 

Bryant averaged 26.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game against the Knicks in his Hall of Fame career. 

Bryant is currently the NBA's fourth leading scorer all-time in both the regular season and the playoffs. His carer 25.0 points per game is the 16th highest in league history. 

The NBA community continues to mourn the loss of Bryant, who was one of the NBA's most prolific scorers and winners, Bryant won five NBA Championships and two scoring titles in his storied 20-year career.