Los Angeles Clinches 16th NBA Title Behind Bryant, Gasol in 2010 Game 7 Classic
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The Los Angeles Lakers captured their 16th NBA championship on June 17, 2010, edging the Boston Celtics 83-79 in a tense Game 7 at Staples Center.
Boston, holding a 40-34 halftime lead and up by as many as 13 in the third quarter, appeared poised to spoil the Lakers’ repeat bid. But Los Angeles erased the deficit with aggressive rebounding and timely shooting.
Kobe Bryant delivered 23 points and 15 rebounds despite a cold shooting night, while Pau Gasol added 19 points and 18 boards. Ron Artest—who later changed his name to Metta World Peace—supplied 20 points, including a pivotal three-pointer with under two minutes left that stretched the margin to six. Sasha Vujacic sealed the outcome with two free throws in the closing seconds.
The victory avenged the Lakers’ 2008 Finals loss to Boston and gave Bryant his fifth—and ultimately final—NBA title. He later called the win the proudest achievement of his career, noting it also moved him “one more than Shaq” in championships.
Los Angeles reached the 2010 Finals after playoff series wins over the Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz, and Phoenix Suns. Boston advanced by defeating the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Orlando Magic, ending a much-anticipated chance for a Kobe Bryant–LeBron James showdown.
Source: Lakers Nation
