This Date in NBA History (March 16): ​Kobe Bryant scores 65 points vs. Portland Trail Blazers in 2007

Author Photo
#Kobe

The year is 2007 and Kobe Bryant is getting buckets!

On March 16, at home against the Portland Trail Blazers, Bryant delivered one of the best offensive performances of his career, unloading 65 points against the Portland Trail Blazers. 

In the 116-111 win, Bryant accounted for over half of his team's points and they needed every single one of them to secure a five-point win, especially considering they were coming off a seven-game losing streak. 

Bryant was on another level in this game, shooting 23-of-39 from the field, 8-of-12 from the three-point line and 11-of-12 from the free-throw line, playing 49:58 minutes, including overtime.

He added seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals in the win, with his 65 points the second most he'd scored in his career, trailing only his 81-point outburst against the Toronto Raptors a season prior. 

Twenty-four of Bryant's 65 points came in the fourth quarter, adding nine more in overtime. In a 14-minute stretch, he scored 33 points on 11-of-13 shooting, including 5-of-5 from deep. 

Bryant's performance against the Blazers kicked off a ridiculous scoring run, where he scored at least 50 points (including two 60-point games), joining Wilt Chamberlain as the only other player with such a streak. 

He went on to score 50 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves, 60 points against the Memphis Grizzlies and 50 points against the New Orleans Hornets in the next three games.

Only two other Lakers scored in double figures against the Blazers, with Lamar Odom adding 15 points, nine rebounds and six assists while Maurice Evans added 14 points off the bench.

The Blazers were led by a young Zach Randolph, who scored 31 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while LaMarcus Aldridge added 16 points and 10 rebounds and Brandon Roy 14 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. 

Bryant finished second in scoring that season behind LeBron James, averaging 28.3 points per game.

The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA or its clubs.

Author(s)
Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor for The Sporting News.