Los Angeles (dpa) - LA Lakers star Kobe Bryant added a special
milestone to his legacy.
Bryant passed former Chicago Bulls great Michael Jordan for third on the NBA's all-time scoring list Sunday with 26 points, including the tie-breaking triple with 62 seconds left, as
the visiting Lakers trimmed the Minnesota Timberwolves 100-94.
"It's a huge honour, he (Jordan) knows how much I've learned from him," said Bryant, whose 32,310 points through 19 seasons places him behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387) and Karl Malone (36,928). "It's so much work to get to this point. It's unbelievable."
An outpour of messages flowed in on the social media sites for Bryant's historic night.
Jordan sent his wishes saying: "I congratulate Kobe Bryant on reaching the milestone. He's obviously a great player with a strong work ethic and has an equally strong passion for the game of basketball.
"I've enjoyed watching his game evolve over the years and look forward to seeing what he accomplishes next."
Former Lakers great Magic Johnson also chimed in praising Bryant on his Twitter account: "His fresh style of play partnered with his old school work ethic and unmatched will to win has helped him become one of the top five players."
Bryant, 36, was humbled to hear such praise: "It's playing for respect of the greats, that's what it's about for me," he said. "I'm a part of that culture and part of that brotherhood."
Needing nine points to pass his idol, Bryant passed Jordan by knocking down his second free throw with 5 minutes 24 seconds left in the second quarter, giving him 32,293.
The game was stopped in recognition of the milestone. Bryant was embraced with congratulatory hugs by players from both sides and was awarded the game ball by Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor at mid-court as fans gave him a standing ovation at Target Center.
"I'm used to being the villain so to have moments like that when you're not expecting it, is appreciated," Bryant said "It was just a class move by the Timberwolves."
Lakers head coach Byron Scott was proud to see his former teammate achieve the historic milestone.
"It's been an unbelievable career and I'm just happy I as was able to share with him in the beginning when he got his first basket to this point as well."
Scott said passing Jordan - arguably considered the best player of all time - brings Bryant into the discussion.
"It puts his name in the conversation of just who is the greatest when all is said and done."
Carlos Boozer had 22 points and 13 rebounds for the Lakers (8-18), who posted their first three-game winning of the season.
"I'm a basketball fan and it's so amazing to score that many buckets in his career and pass Michael," he said. "It's an honour to be part of and be able to witness greatness."
Shabazz Muhammad led Minnesota (518) with 28 points and nine rebounds.
Elsewhere:
- Golden State Warriors 128, New Orleans Pelicans 122 (OT): Stephen Curry poured in eight of his 34 points in overtime, Klay Thompson added 29, and the league-best Warriors (21-2) extended their franchise-best winning streak to 16 after rallying past the host Pelicans.
Tyreke Evans scored 34 points while Jrue Holiday added 30 with nine assists for New Orleans (11-12), playing without star forward Anthony Davis, who suffered a chest contusion Friday against Cleveland.
- Oklahoma City Thunder 112, Phoenix Suns 88: Russell Westbrook had 28 points, Kevin Durant netted 23, and the Thunder (11-13) rolled to its season-high sixth straight victory while handing the visiting Suns (12-13) a fifth straight loss.
- Washington Wizards 93, Utah Jazz 84: : Bradley Beal scored 22 points, John Wall added 16, helping the Wizards (17-6) run their winning streak to four by sending the visiting Jazz (6-18) to its 11th loss in the last 12 outings.
- Chicago Bulls 93, Miami Heat 75: Mike Dunleavy fired in 19 of his 22 points in a decisive 33-16 third quarter, and the visiting Bulls (15-8) took advantage of Chris Bosh's absence (calf strain) to beat the Heat (11-13), which shot a season-low 35 per cent from the field.
- Toronto Raptors 95, New York Knicks 90: Terrence Ross scored a season-best 22 points, Kyle Lowry added four of his 21 in overtime and handed out 11 assists, leading the East-best (18-6) Raptors past the host Knicks.
Carmelo Anthony netted 34 points for reeling New York (5-21), which stopped a 10-game slide Friday at Boston.
- San Antonio Spurs 99, Denver Nuggets 91: Kawhi Leonard scored 18 points, and the visiting Spurs (17-7) handed the Nuggets (10-14) their sixth loss in the last seven decisions despite Arron Afflalo's season-high 31 points.
Bryant passed former Chicago Bulls great Michael Jordan for third on the NBA's all-time scoring list Sunday with 26 points, including the tie-breaking triple with 62 seconds left, as
the visiting Lakers trimmed the Minnesota Timberwolves 100-94.
"It's a huge honour, he (Jordan) knows how much I've learned from him," said Bryant, whose 32,310 points through 19 seasons places him behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387) and Karl Malone (36,928). "It's so much work to get to this point. It's unbelievable."
An outpour of messages flowed in on the social media sites for Bryant's historic night.
Jordan sent his wishes saying: "I congratulate Kobe Bryant on reaching the milestone. He's obviously a great player with a strong work ethic and has an equally strong passion for the game of basketball.
"I've enjoyed watching his game evolve over the years and look forward to seeing what he accomplishes next."
Former Lakers great Magic Johnson also chimed in praising Bryant on his Twitter account: "His fresh style of play partnered with his old school work ethic and unmatched will to win has helped him become one of the top five players."
Bryant, 36, was humbled to hear such praise: "It's playing for respect of the greats, that's what it's about for me," he said. "I'm a part of that culture and part of that brotherhood."
Needing nine points to pass his idol, Bryant passed Jordan by knocking down his second free throw with 5 minutes 24 seconds left in the second quarter, giving him 32,293.
The game was stopped in recognition of the milestone. Bryant was embraced with congratulatory hugs by players from both sides and was awarded the game ball by Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor at mid-court as fans gave him a standing ovation at Target Center.
"I'm used to being the villain so to have moments like that when you're not expecting it, is appreciated," Bryant said "It was just a class move by the Timberwolves."
Lakers head coach Byron Scott was proud to see his former teammate achieve the historic milestone.
"It's been an unbelievable career and I'm just happy I as was able to share with him in the beginning when he got his first basket to this point as well."
Scott said passing Jordan - arguably considered the best player of all time - brings Bryant into the discussion.
"It puts his name in the conversation of just who is the greatest when all is said and done."
Carlos Boozer had 22 points and 13 rebounds for the Lakers (8-18), who posted their first three-game winning of the season.
"I'm a basketball fan and it's so amazing to score that many buckets in his career and pass Michael," he said. "It's an honour to be part of and be able to witness greatness."
Shabazz Muhammad led Minnesota (518) with 28 points and nine rebounds.
Elsewhere:
- Golden State Warriors 128, New Orleans Pelicans 122 (OT): Stephen Curry poured in eight of his 34 points in overtime, Klay Thompson added 29, and the league-best Warriors (21-2) extended their franchise-best winning streak to 16 after rallying past the host Pelicans.
Tyreke Evans scored 34 points while Jrue Holiday added 30 with nine assists for New Orleans (11-12), playing without star forward Anthony Davis, who suffered a chest contusion Friday against Cleveland.
- Oklahoma City Thunder 112, Phoenix Suns 88: Russell Westbrook had 28 points, Kevin Durant netted 23, and the Thunder (11-13) rolled to its season-high sixth straight victory while handing the visiting Suns (12-13) a fifth straight loss.
- Washington Wizards 93, Utah Jazz 84: : Bradley Beal scored 22 points, John Wall added 16, helping the Wizards (17-6) run their winning streak to four by sending the visiting Jazz (6-18) to its 11th loss in the last 12 outings.
- Chicago Bulls 93, Miami Heat 75: Mike Dunleavy fired in 19 of his 22 points in a decisive 33-16 third quarter, and the visiting Bulls (15-8) took advantage of Chris Bosh's absence (calf strain) to beat the Heat (11-13), which shot a season-low 35 per cent from the field.
- Toronto Raptors 95, New York Knicks 90: Terrence Ross scored a season-best 22 points, Kyle Lowry added four of his 21 in overtime and handed out 11 assists, leading the East-best (18-6) Raptors past the host Knicks.
Carmelo Anthony netted 34 points for reeling New York (5-21), which stopped a 10-game slide Friday at Boston.
- San Antonio Spurs 99, Denver Nuggets 91: Kawhi Leonard scored 18 points, and the visiting Spurs (17-7) handed the Nuggets (10-14) their sixth loss in the last seven decisions despite Arron Afflalo's season-high 31 points.
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