On Jan. 1, 2010, Kobe Bryant opened the new decade the way he spent most of the previous one—deciding a game at the horn. The Los Angeles Lakers trailed the Sacramento Kings 109-108 when Bryant drilled a corner three-pointer as time expired, sealing a one-point victory at Staples Center.
The Lakers were down 15 at halftime but closed the gap in the fourth quarter. With 4.0 seconds remaining and Sacramento leading 108-106, Los Angeles fouled Ime Udoka, who missed both free throws. Head coach Phil Jackson then drew up an inbounds play that began with Pau Gasol receiving the pass. Bryant set a back screen on Sergio Rodriguez, flared to the left corner, took a feed from Gasol, set his feet, and released the game-winner before the final buzzer sounded.
Bryant finished with 39 points, five rebounds and five assists while connecting on five shots from beyond the arc. The Lakers’ frontcourt provided additional support: Gasol collected 17 points and 16 rebounds, Lamar Odom posted 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Andrew Bynum contributed 16 points.
Sacramento countered with 30 points and 11 rebounds from Spencer Hawes and a 19-point, 13-assist effort by Beno Udrih. Their late lead vanished when Udoka missed the potential clinching free throws, setting the stage for Bryant’s heroics.
The shot was one of eight career buzzer-beaters for Bryant, a total that places him tied for second in NBA history with LeBron James and one behind Michael Jordan. Seven of those game-winners came in the regular season; one occurred during the 2006 playoffs against the Phoenix Suns.
Source: Lakers Nation
