Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant’s five best performances

3. Game four of the 2001 Western Conference Semifinals (May 13, 2001)

Six days before Kobe Bryant torched the San Antonio Spurs in route to sweeping the team, he had an absolute monster game against the Sacramento Kings in game four of the Western Conference Finals. Bryant played all 48 minutes of this game to lead the Lakers to a 119-113 win after Shaquille O’Neal fouled out late in the fourth.

Bryant dropped 48 points, assisted three baskets and hauled in 16 rebounds. This game would go down as the third highest scoring playoff game in Bryant’s career and is tied for the most rebounds in the shooting guard’s decorated 20-year career. All in all, Bryant was head and shoulders above the Sacramento Kings and proved it in this close out game.

Again, like game one of the Western Conference Finals, Kobe’s efficiency was on full display on May 13, 2001. Bryant shot 51.7% from the field, made his only three-point shot attempted and shot 17 of 19 from the free throw line.

The implications and the stage this game was set on is what makes it so remarkable for Bryant. Here you have a young, 22-year-old kid that is already an NBA Champion. On the grandest stage of them all, gearing up to face the San Antonio Spurs, Bryant drops 48 and 16 in Sacramento, nonetheless.

Bryant would go on to have many great playoff memories, four more championships and countless accolades.