Kobe Youngest to Score 20,000

With a 39-point strike at Madison Square Garden today, Kobe Bryant became the youngest player to score 20,000 points, beating Wilt Chamberlain by 12 days, the AP reports. Though the Knicks made a game of it late, their disgusted home crowd chanted “Fire Isiah” and roared for Kobe as he led the Lakers to a 95-90 victory.

The Knicks got as close as 91-90 with less than 2 minutes to play, but never scored again. With seconds left, their final inbound pass was robbed for an uncontested, game-sealing dunk. Kobe appeared happy, laughing and verbally sparring with Spike Lee, the New York Times reports. “I always like playing here, period,” he said. “This is my favorite arena to play in.” (More Kobe Bryant stories.)