Mamba Day
That was how the basketball dubbed Kobe Bryant’s final game in the NBA.
The five time NBA champion closed out his 20-year career with a bang on Wednesday night, scoring an incredible 60 points in his final appearance for Los Angeles Lakers, helping his side to a 101-96 win over Utah Jazz.
The basketball legend’s final points for the game were from a free-throw, mirroring the very first points he scored in the league.
Kobe's first point ever… and his last. #ThankYouKobe pic.twitter.com/IfPULCSArP
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) April 14, 2016
Some of the biggest games in show business came out to watch Kobe’s final game, and with tickets going for up to £20,000 to see the show, they weren’t disappointed, with Black Mamba closing the game with an assist, in a cheeky nudge to those who would call him a ball hog (even if he did still take 50 shots in Wednesday’s game).
All of us watching Kobe right now. pic.twitter.com/RCizDEbza1
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) April 14, 2016
Kobe closed the night with a memorable speaking thanking fans for a memorable career.
https://twitter.com/legendarylakers/status/720491090692976643
Elsewhere in basketball, the Golden State Warriors defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 125 -104, breaking the 95-96 Chicago Bulls record for most wins in a regular season. The Warriors ended the season with a 73-9 record.
73 Wins. #H73TORY #StrengthInNumbershttps://t.co/lOGzdCeZCw
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) April 14, 2016
The current NBA champions, starring man of the moment Steph Curry, are current favourites to win this year’s playoffs, which start next week.