Los Angeles — On April 13, 2016, Kobe Bryant closed out his 20-year NBA career with a 60-point performance that powered the Los Angeles Lakers to a 101-96 comeback victory over the Utah Jazz at Staples Center.
The 37-year-old guard logged 42 minutes, shooting 22-for-50 from the field and 10-for-12 at the free-throw line. His final surge helped erase a 15-point halftime deficit and secured the win in front of a crowd packed with former teammates, franchise legends and celebrities.
Among those in attendance were Derek Fisher, Robert Horry, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy and Jerry West, along with entertainers Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg and longtime Lakers fan Jack Nicholson.
The game unfolded on the same night the Golden State Warriors broke the Chicago Bulls’ single-season record with their 73rd victory, yet Bryant’s finale remained the focal point of the sports world.
Lakers rookies and younger players repeatedly fed Bryant the ball and set aggressive screens to create scoring opportunities. In the closing minutes, Bryant hit a series of clutch jumpers before two free throws pushed him to the 60-point mark. A full-court assist from Bryant to Jordan Clarkson for a dunk sealed the result.
Bryant later acknowledged that he often regarded his 81-point outing against Toronto in 2006 as his finest single game, but his farewell performance instantly joined the shortlist of his most memorable moments.
Source: Lakers Nation
