Memorable Performances of the 2000’s

Kobe Bryant, Jan, 22, 2006 (81 points)… Bryant scored 81 of the Lakers’ 122 points in a victory against the Raptors, the second-highest-scoring game in NBA history, behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point performance in 1962.

LeBron James, May 31, 2007 (48 points)… The Cavs’ 109-107 double-overtime victory in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals… James finished with 48 points, nine rebounds and seven assists… He scored Cleveland’s final 25 points and 29 of its last 30.

Allen Iverson, June 6, 2001 (48 points)… The 76ers, a heavy underdog, stunned the host Lakers in Game 1 of the 2001 Finals thanks to Iverson’s tour de force.He finished with 48 points, including a seven-point flurry in a 58-second stretch of overtime, as Philadelphia won 107-101 to hand the Lakers their first loss of the playoffs.

Tracy McGrady, Dec. 9, 2004… McGrady scored 13 points in the final 35 seconds to rally the Rockets past the Spurs 81-80.

Dwyane Wade, June 13, 2006 (42 points)… Already in a 2-0 hole in the NBA Finals, Miami trailed Dallas 89-76 midway through the fourth quarter of Game 3. But Wade scored 12 of his 42 points during a game-ending 22-7 run as Miami won 98-96, the first of its four consecutive victories en route to the franchise’s first championship.

Shaquille O’Neal, March 6, 2000 (61 points)… On his 28th birthday, O’Neal erupted for 61 points and 23 rebounds in the Lakers’ 123-103 victory against the Clippers.

Carmelo Anthony, Dec. 10, 2008 (45 points)… Anthony matched George Gervin’s NBA record for points in a quarter when he exploded for 33 in the third period of Denver’s 116-105 victory against Minnesota.

Brandon Jennings, Nov. 14, 2009 (55 points)… In his seventh NBA game, the Bucks’ Jennings scored 55 points in a 129-125 victory against the Warriors in Milwaukee. The 6-foot-1 Jennings overcame a scoreless first quarter to finish three points shy of Wilt Chamberlain’s all-time rookie record.

Kobe Bryant, March 16-23, 2007… Kobe scored 65, 50, 60 and 50 points in consecutive games, the second-most 50-point games in a row behind Wilt Chamberlain’s seven.

Shaquille O’Neal, June 8, 2001 (28 points, almost QD)… Shaq flirted with the first NBA Finals quadruple-double in finishing with 28 points, 20 rebounds, nine assists and eight blocks to lead the Lakers past the 76ers in Game 2.

Read more at Sports Illustrated…