Kobe Bryant scored 44 points, surpassing Jerry West on the Los Angeles Lakers all-time scoring list, but the Memphis Grizzlies spoiled the celebration with a 95-93 win on Monday night.
Rudy Gay hit a 3-pointer with 29.5 seconds left and survived a last-second 3-point attempt from the Lakers’ Ron Artest to break the Grizzlies’ two-game losing streak.
Gay scored 25 points to lead Memphis while All-Star forward Zach Randolph tossed in 22 points and grabbed 17 rebounds.
Bryant passed West’s mark on a breakaway dunk in the third quarter. He made 16 of 28 shots, including 4 of 7 three-pointers.
Bryant had the ball on the Lakers’ last possession, but had to give up the ball as the clock wound down and Memphis defenders surrounded him.
The game was tied at 88, when Memphis ran the shot clock to near the end before Randolph made a 22-footer for a 90-88 lead with 1:08 left. 
His two free throws extended the lead to 92-88. Bryant scored on a drive before Gay’s 3-pointer gave Memphis a 95-90 lead, and the Grizzlies held on.
Memphis (26-21) got unexpected offensive production from Lester Hudson, the rookie guard who was picked up January 8 off waivers from the Boston Celtics.
Hudson tossed in 13 points – 11 in the second quarter – to help give the Grizzlies a 52-50 halftime lead.
Marc Gasol added 11 points and 13 rebounds for Memphis. Artest added 18 points while Paul Gasol chipped in 10 points and nine rebounds for the Lakers.
Los Angeles (37-12) closed out an eight-game road trip, finishing 5-3. Memphis won’t have time to enjoy the win as they head to Cleveland for a Tuesday night game against the Cavaliers. The Grizzlies defeated the Cavs 111-109 on December 8 in Memphis.
