Comparing the 60+ Point Games of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant (2024)

Both Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant recorded five games in their careers of 60 points or more. Kobe recorded 81, 65, 62, 61 and 60 points in regular season games.

Michael Jordan recorded 69, 64, 63 (in playoffs), 61 and 61.

Bryant scored 60 against the 17-52 Grizzlies on 3/22/07. He also scored 61 on 2/2/09 on the 21-24 Knicks. Additionally, Bryant scored 62 on the 18-7 Mavericks. He scored 65 on the 26-39 Blazers and he scored 81 on the 14-27 Raptors.

The combined record of the teams Kobe scored 60 or more at the time of the game was 96 wins and 149 losses.

Jordan scored 61 against the 37-20 Pistons, 61 against the 57-24 Hawks, 63 in the playoffs against eventual champs who had a record up to that point of 69-15, and he scored 64 against the 16-15 Magicand 69 against the 32-37 Cavs.

The combined record of the teams Jordan scored 60 or more at the time of the game was 211 wins and 111 losses.

Let us compare each stat they compiled in order.

In these five games, Kobe averaged 41.4 minutes and Jordan averaged 46.8 minutes.

Bryant hit 109 of 184 shots (59%) and Jordan hit 116 of 204 (57%).

Bryant hit 88 of 95 (92%) free throws and Jordan hit 83 of 94 (88%).

Bryant hit 25 of 48 (52%) threes and Jordan hit 3 out of 14 (21%).

Jordan averaged 9.2 rebounds and Kobe averaged 5.2.

Jordan averaged 3.4 assists and Kobe averaged 2.4 assists.

Jordan averaged 4.0 steals and Kobe averaged 1.8 steals.

Jordan averaged 1.4 blocks and Kobe averaged 0.4 blocks.

Kobe averaged 65.8 ppg and Jordan averaged 63.6 ppg.

The comparison boils down to:

Kobe averaged 65.8 pts, 5.2 rebs, 2.4 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.4 blocks. 59%fg, 52%3's, 92%ft.

Jordan averaged 63.6 pts, 9.2 rebs, 3.4 assists, 4.0 steals and 1.4 blocks. 57% fg, 21%3's, 88%ft.

Taking into consideration the tougher teams MJ had to face and the much stronger defensive output, and a playoff showing, I rate Jordan's top five scoring games as all-around better than Kobe's top five. What is your opinion?

Kobe averaged 2.2 points more, Jordan averaged 4 rebounds more, 1 assist more, 2.2 steals more and 1 block more.

It seems Kobe shot 2% from field and 4% from the line better against the losing regular season teams he scored 60 on and MJ came through in tough games where he had no idea going in that he would have to score so many points.

Nevertheless combined in these ten games alone Jordan and Kobe scored 647 points for an average of 64.7 ppg!

Not on this list are Wilt Chamberlain's 100 point game, Wilt's 78 point game, David Thompson's 73 point game, Wilt's 73 points, another by Wilt with 73, 72 by Wilt, 71 by David Robinson, 71 by Elgin Baylor, 70 by Wilt, 68 by Pete Maravich, 68 By Wilt, 67 by Wilt, 67 by Wilt, 67 by Wilt, 67 by Wilt, 66 by Wilt, 65 by Wilt, 65 by Wilt, 65 by Wilt, 64 by Rick Barry, 64 by Elgin Baylor, 63 by George Gervin, 63 by Wilt, 63 by Wilt, 63 by Jerry West, 63 by Elgin Baylor, 63 by Joe Fulks, 62 by Tracy McGrady, 62 by Wilt (5 more times), 61 by Shaq, 61 by Karl Malone, 61 by Wilt (6 more times), 61 by George Mikan, 60 by Gilbert Arenas, 60 by Allen Iverson, 60 by Tom Chambers, 60 by Larry Bird, 60 by Bernard King and 60 byWilt (threemore times).