Kobe Bryant is now the NBA’s third all-time leading scorer. With 5:24 remaining in the second quarter of the Lakers’ Sunday night game against the Timberwolves in Minneapolis, Bryant made a pair of free throws to score his 32,292nd and 32,293rd points, passing Michael Jordan for third place in the NBA’s all-time rankings.
After he made the free throws, play stopped at the Target Center so Bryant’s teammates could congratulate him. He was also given the game ball.
Here’s a video of the free throws that put him over:
Whatever you want to say about Bryant’s shot selection or the Lakers’ record this season, this is a massive achievement for him that only further cements him as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
Next up in Kobe’s quest to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer is Karl Malone, whose 36,928 points make him the NBA’s second-leading scorer. Bryant won’t get there this season, but if he stays healthy and has another strong season next year, that will be within reach. Passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387 points) for first place isn’t really realistic unless Bryant plays beyond his current contract.
