January 21-22, 2006 delivered two unforgettable performances separated by 24 hours. One became college hoops lore because of JJ Redick’s record-breaking performance. But the very next day what happened became NBA history.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ second-year coach was one of the declared stars in his college days at Duke, especially in the 2005-06 season, when he was just shattering records to win the national player of the year honor. Recently, the 41-year-old recalled one of those historic nights but blamed Kobe Bryant for turning it bittersweet in just one day.
JJ Redick Recalls His 41-Point Duke Masterpiece Just One Day Before Kobe Bryant’s Historic 81
Redick torched Georgetown for 41 points on January 21, going 12-of-24 from the field and hitting six triples. His Duke entered the game with an undefeated 17-0 record and the No. 1 rank, but pulled off an 87-84 heartbreaker.
Redick’s 41-point game became the only highlight, which eventually disappeared the very next day as Bryant dropped 81 on Toronto Raptors. When asked about that historic weekend nearly two decades later, the now-Lakers head coach didn’t sugarcoat it.
“We went into that game 17-0, and we were number one in the country,” Redick shared on Lakers media. “We got our butts kicked for three quarters of that game.”
Duke trailed by 14 at one point before mounting a furious rally. Redick explained they managed to cut Georgetown’s lead to one possession late, but the ending still stings. The Blue Devils couldn’t even get a final shot off. That Saturday afternoon loss — Duke’s first of the season — overshadowed everything Redick accomplished individually.
“I don’t remember a whole lot outside of anger from losing,” he admitted. The rest of the weekend? Redick spent it licking his wounds and prepping for ACC play.
Meanwhile, 24 hours later at Staples Center, Bryant went nuclear. Bryant erupted for 81 points against the Raptors in a 122-104 Lakers W.. He scored 55 in the second half alone, erasing an 18-point deficit.
18 years ago today: Kobe Bryant’s legendary 81 point game. 🐐
28-46 FG, 7-13 3PT, 18-20 FT.
pic.twitter.com/Ig2vV65V5Y— Kobe Bryant Stories & Motivation (@kobehighlight) January 22, 2024
Redick acknowledged the universal respect for Bryant among hoopers. “We all worship Kobe,” he said. “He was just an insane basketball player.” But Redick’s mind wasn’t on Kobe that weekend.
The Georgetown loss dropped Duke to 17-1. Redick finished his senior season with 964 points, the most in Duke history for a single season. Over his college career, the Blue Devils went 116–23 with him on the floor. None of that made Saturday’s loss any easier.
Two stars scored big, but only one walked away satisfied.
