Kobe Bryant Overtakes Michael Jordan On All-Time Scoring List

Chalk this one up as an advantage of Kobe Bryant over Michael Jordan in the greatest of all time conversation. The Los Angeles Lakers guard made history by passing Chicago Bulls Hall of Famer Michael Jordan as third on the all-time scoring list during the first half of the Lakers' game versus the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The former league Most Valuable Player made two free throws at the 5:34 mark of the second quarter after he was fouled in the act of shooting by rookie Zach LaVine. He made his free throws to register his 9 point and a career total of 32,293 points, enough for third place in the all-time scoring leaders chart. Entering Sunday's game against the also struggling Timberwolves, Bryant needed just 9 points to achieve the feat and he made quick work of putting in the needed points. Afterwards, he received a standing ovation from the Minneapolis crowd which was on its feet the whole time the Black mamba made the clinching free throws. Hugs were given all around as the game was halted for a second for Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor to award the game ball to Bryant. The five-time NBA champion also received a warm embrace from his coach Byron Scott as he went to the Lakers bench.

To add a cherry on top of the remarkable feat, the Lakers also won over the home team, 100-94 and are now riding a rare two-game winning streak. Bryant was instrumental in the win recording 26 points on 7-for-20 shooting along with 6 rebounds and 2 assists. Former Bulls forward Carlos Boozer was effective off the bench chipping in a statistical line of 22 points and 13 rebounds.

The Lakers were leading much of the way until the young Timberwolves mounted a comeback and tied the score at 94 apiece through a steal by 2014 number 1 draft pick Andrew Wiggins and an ensuing assist to the fast breaking Thaddues Young. The number 2 leading scorer in the season, Bryant, came back with a dagger by shooting a three point basket at the top of the line, with two defenders all over him and from thereon out, the Lakers secured the win at the free throw line. Jordan, the man who Bryant passed, also gave comments on the recent achievements of Bryant and had nothing but praises for the Lakers' franchise player.

''I congratulate Kobe on reaching this milestone,'' Jordan said in a statement given to The Associated Press. ''He's obviously a great player, with a strong work ethic and has an equally strong passion for the game of basketball.''