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Kobe Bryant Passes Michael Jordan on All-Time Points List



It’s been a rough season for the Los Angeles Lakers. Entering Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Lakers were 7-16 and their aging star, Kobe Bryant, was becoming… agitated with his team’s performance.

But Sunday gave LA and Kobe a moment to celebrate. In the second quarter of the Lakers-T’wolves game, Bryant hit a couple free throws to give him 32,293 career points, which pushed him past Michael Jordan as the NBA’s third all-time leading scorer.

"I congratulate Kobe on reaching this milestone," Jordan said in a statement. "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 I look forward to seeing what he accomplishes next."

Kobe finished the game — a 100-94 Lakers win — with 26 points, edging him closer to the next name on the all-time points list, Karl Malone, who finished his career with 36,928. But with the 36-year-old Bryant playing in his 19th pro season, Malone’s spot should be secure. And there’s little chance of Kobe making a run at Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 38,387 points at the top of the list. 

Here’s video of the momebt Bryant passed Jordan last night:




Photo: Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

kobe bryant la lakers michael jordan