By the numbers: 10-year anniversary of Kobe Bryant's 81-point game
Ten years ago Friday, Kobe Bryant scored 81 points in a game against the Toronto Raptors, the second-most in one game in NBA history. The 81-point game was part of a January in which Bryant averaged 43.4 points in 16 games. The only player in NBA history to average more points in one month is Wilt Chamberlain, who did it seven times (minimum 10 games).
A look back at the stats behind Bryant’s historic night:
ESPN Stats and Information/Getty Images
Related fun facts:
• 55 of Bryant's 81 points came in the second half. The Lakers trailed by as many as 18 points in the third quarter.
• More than 82 percent of players currently in the NBA had not yet made their NBA debut on Jan. 22, 2006.
• Since the day after Bryant’s 81-pt game, there have been more than 1,300 instances of a team scoring fewer than 81 points.
• Bryant’s 27.0 PPG against the Raptors is his third-highest against any team; removing the 81-point game drops it to 25.3, which would be his 11th-highest against any team.
• There are only five players who have scored 81 points in any two consecutive games this season.
Ten years ago Friday, Kobe Bryant scored 81 points in a game against the Toronto Raptors, the second-most in one game in NBA history. The 81-point game was part of a January in which Bryant averaged 43.4 points in 16 games. The only player in NBA history to average more points in one month is Wilt Chamberlain, who did it seven times (minimum 10 games).
A look back at the stats behind Bryant’s historic night:
ESPN Stats and Information/Getty Images
Related fun facts:
• 55 of Bryant's 81 points came in the second half. The Lakers trailed by as many as 18 points in the third quarter.
• More than 82 percent of players currently in the NBA had not yet made their NBA debut on Jan. 22, 2006.
• Since the day after Bryant’s 81-pt game, there have been more than 1,300 instances of a team scoring fewer than 81 points.
• Bryant’s 27.0 PPG against the Raptors is his third-highest against any team; removing the 81-point game drops it to 25.3, which would be his 11th-highest against any team.
• There are only five players who have scored 81 points in any two consecutive games this season.
