Honoring Kobe Bryant’s 40th, a look back at the Mamba’s top 5 games versus OKC

To start this Mamba Ode we’ll look at two of Bryant’s best regular-season games versus the OKC Thunder and number five was a thorough shellacking by Kobe and company.

February 24, 2009

Lakers beat OKC Thunder 107 – 93

In the game, Bryant scored 36 points shooting 13 of 21 from the field and adding 10 free throws from his 13 attempts. In addition, Bryant grabbed four rebounds, dished five dimes, snared a steal and finished with a plus +17 plus/minus rating.  This was the season after Bryant won his only regular-season MVP (although he did win two playoff series MVP awards.

It was the Lakers’ fifth win in a row and 12th of 13 games. That season the Lakers registered several seven-game (3) and six-game (2) win streaks en route to a 65-17 record. LA won the Western Conference and became the Champions that spring.

In the match, Bryant sprained his ankle, but the damage was already done, and by the time he left the court he had moved into 19th place for all-time NBA scorers.