Kobe Bryant scored a Madison Square Garden record 61 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 126-117 win over the New York Knicks.

“He was on fire from the start and finished the game almost the same way,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. “That was a remarkable performance.”

The MSG crowd started the night booing Kobe but by the end of the game they were chanting “MVP!” while giving Bryant a standing ovation for his record performance.

“It’s a blessing to do what you love and to have moments like this,” Bryant said.

No Andrew Bynum? No problem — Just give the damn ball to Kobe.