New York Knicks: 20 greatest performances at Madison Square Garden

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 24: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks acknowledges the crowd as he leaves a game against the Charlotte Bobcats after scoring his team record 62nd point at Madison Square Garden on January 24, 2014 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Bobcats 125-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

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Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant(Photo by: Nick Laham/Getty Images) /

3. Kobe Bryant, 61 points: Feb. 2, 2009

February 2009 was not kind to the Knicks, who withstood not just LeBron James’ all-time night at The Garden, but Kobe Bryant’s head-turning performance two days earlier on Groundhog’s Day.

Months before he claimed a title without Shaquille O’Neal, the 18-time All-Star showcased a game that, at the time, only fell in comparison to his 81 points against the Toronto Raptors in 2006: 61 points on 31 shots, three 3-pointers and a perfect 20-for-20 from the charity stripe.

Unbelievable for anyone, Bryant set the MSG crowd ablaze, which cheered for him as his stat line built. There were reasons to be positive for the Knicks that night, especially on 7-for-27 3-point shooting, so the crowd turned and rooted for the future Basketball Hall of Famer.

Amazingly, only five Lakers scored that night. Bryant and Pau Gasol made up for 92 of their 126 points, with a combined 15 points from their other three starters. None of it mattered.

After the game, Bryant was asked if they could win a title without Andrew Bynum. “Sure, we can,” he said to lay another moment on this night, and his Lakers did so that summer.

Once the “Black Mamba” retired in 2016, this game still stood as one of his best, even though his final night in a Lakers uniform forever holds strong.