One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
'Mamba Out:' Kobe Bryant Ends NBA Career With 60-Point Performance
Kobe Bryant plays against the Utah Jazz in the final game of his 20-year career. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant concluded his 20-season NBA career with a bang, scoring 60 points in a Lakers win over the Utah Jazz.
Bryant was in total #heroball mode, going 22-50 from the floor (making 6 3-pointers on 21 attempts). In the last three minutes of the game, Kobe made 15 straight points, including a 20-foot shot with 31 seconds left to help the team take their first lead since the 2nd quarter.
Kobe both getting 60 and setting the record for shots in his FINAL GAME EVER is the most Kobe thing ever
— Tom (@TJFsports) April 14, 2016
In an ironic twist, Kobe's final play was an assist, with a big cross-court pass to Jordan Clarkson for a dunk.
After the game officially ended, Kobe addressed the crowd, saying, "I cant believe how fast 20 years went by, this is crazy, this is absolutely crazy."
Sponsored message
"I grew up a diehard Laker fan—diehard," he continued. "To be drafted and traded to this organization, and to spend 20 years here... you can't write something better than this."
Ever the self-aware superstar, Kobe joked about his ballhog reputation: "The thing that had me cracking up all night long was the fact that I go through 20 years of everybody screaming, 'Pass the ball!' and on the last night they're like, 'Don't pass it!"
Kobe went on to thank the fans "from the bottom of my heart" and his family for their "sacrifice."
"What can I say?" Kobe shrugged as he wrapped up his farewell. "Mamba out."
Watch Kobe Bryant's farewell speech below:
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
