Los Angeles ? Allan Houston took the tape off his right hand and came out shooting. The result was the game of his life.

Houston topped Kobe Bryant with an NBA season-high 53 points Sunday night, leading the New York Knicks to a 117-110 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

The 31-year-old Houston, who surpassed his previous NBA best by nine, said he’d never scored 53 in a game at any level.

“Never, ever,” he said.

Bryant set the standard for this season by scoring 51 in the Lakers’ victory at Denver last Wednesday. Houston reached that mark when he hit a baseline jumper with 2:05 remaining, and he added two free throws in four attempts in the final 15.4 seconds.

“To get a win and have something like that happen individually, it feels great,” Houston said. “It felt good just to get going, and then it didn’t stop. It was like being out on the playground again; you’re just out there having fun and playing the game.”

Houston finished 18-of-29 from the field, including 4-of-5 from three-point range. He went 13-of-15 from the line.

“Allan kept shooting and they kept going in,” teammate Charlie Ward said. “He was great. I’m glad he took that tape off his hand.”

Houston jammed his right wrist during a 114-109 loss to the Lakers on Feb. 6 at Madison Square Garden and had been taping it since then to provide stability.

“I took it off, it felt a lot better,” he said. “Maybe I’ll leave if off again.”

Asked if his wrist was fully recovered, Houston smiled and replied: “I guess I’d sound a little cocky if I said no. It really doesn’t feel 100 percent. I don’t care at this point.”

Averaging a career-best 21.5 points entering the game, Houston’s previous high this season was 39 in a home loss to Boston on Nov. 2. His career high of 44 came against Milwaukee on Jan. 12, 2001.

The 6-foot-6, 220-pound guard became the fifth player in franchise history to score 50 or more points, and the first since Patrick Ewing had 50 against Charlotte on Dec. 1, 1990. Houston’s 53 points were the most by a New York player since Bernard King had 55 against New Jersey on Feb. 16, 1985.

King accomplished the feat five times and holds the franchise record with 60 points against the Nets on Dec. 25, 1984.

After scoring a modest six points in the first quarter Sunday night, Houston had 17 in the second, 20 in the third and 10 in the fourth.

Bryant scored 40 points, his fifth straight game with 40 or more. He also has nine in a row with at least 35. But he was second-best on this night.

“He had a wonderful game,” Bryant said. “He was right on target all night long.”

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Shaq questionable: Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal is listed as questionable for tonight’s game against Yao Ming and the Houston Rockets at Staples Center because of a sore left knee.

O’Neal sat out Sunday night’s 117-110 loss to the New York Knicks and didn’t practice Monday. He also is bothered by soreness in his right big toe.

“It will be a game-time decision,” Lakers spokesman John Black said.

Bryant also sat out practice Monday, but is listed as probable for tonight’s game.