NBA
Kobe Bryant
Farewell: Kobe Bryant drops 60 in his final game
![In the final game of his storied 20-year career, Kobe Bryant put on a show for the ages, dropping 60 points to lead the Lakers to a come-from-behind 101-96 win over the Jazz.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/542508786524f8f783e3dc8585d59d6045275165/c=186-0-3284-1750/local/-/media/2016/04/14/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961965624638749-2016-04-13-Kobe18.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
In the final game of his storied 20-year career, Kobe Bryant put on a show for the ages, dropping 60 points to lead the Lakers to a come-from-behind 101-96 win over the Jazz.
Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports![Bryant had the crowd on its feet for much of the second half as shot after shot continued to fall.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/8b3dcabc2316607793af5d6084645e973ea85190/c=0-190-2776-1758/local/-/media/2016/04/14/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961931565814103-USATSI-9250105.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Bryant had the crowd on its feet for much of the second half as shot after shot continued to fall.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports![Bryant drives to the bucket between Jazz defenders Rodney Hood (5) and Jeff Withey (24) during the second half.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/d5da96bbfda17353e613c8081d0ea274fdaa3d2e/c=0-291-3378-2199/local/-/media/2016/04/14/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961933989929181-USATSI-9250071.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Bryant drives to the bucket between Jazz defenders Rodney Hood (5) and Jeff Withey (24) during the second half.
Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports![Bryant shoots over Jazz defender Gordon Hayward during the second half.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/067f3ef1662e6936542e8b9417e7e5d08dff8461/c=0-137-4253-2540/local/-/media/2016/04/14/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961931581726307-USATSI-9250073.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Bryant shoots over Jazz defender Gordon Hayward during the second half.
Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports![Bryant watches a second-half shot fall.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/332fb0791743bbad4f481790340f67d2158d2684/c=0-0-3280-1853/local/-/media/2016/04/14/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961968797875431-2016-04-13-Kobe22.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Bryant watches a second-half shot fall.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports![Bryant drives to the basket around Jazz defender Joe Ingles (2) during the second half.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/447df07348a5d8c3f9a6cbb34bdd93409db7491f/c=0-0-3232-1826/local/-/media/2016/04/14/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961931583598331-USATSI-9250109.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Bryant drives to the basket around Jazz defender Joe Ingles (2) during the second half.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports![Bryant gets a hug from Lakers coach (and former teammate) Byron Scott after leaving the game for the final time late in the fourth quarter.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/bea399f3f3a256c49abaab6cb4b85ba425d46133/c=849-363-3186-1683/local/-/media/2016/04/14/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961965646791033-2016-04-13-Kobe21.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Bryant gets a hug from Lakers coach (and former teammate) Byron Scott after leaving the game for the final time late in the fourth quarter.
Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports![Bryant addresses the adoring Los Angeles crowd after his final game.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/b9d1cc4cc32cc21f05af3d1d445c247ee1050b13/c=0-0-3025-1709/local/-/media/2016/04/14/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961965640862957-2016-04-13-Kobe20.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Bryant addresses the adoring Los Angeles crowd after his final game.
Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports![Bryant gets a kiss from his wife Vanessa after the game.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/1313123a197367637f3132fc1db4e513dc5bba58/c=809-518-2881-1689/local/-/media/2016/04/14/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961965613094601-2016-04-13-Kobe19.jpg?width=660&height=374&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Bryant gets a kiss from his wife Vanessa after the game.
Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports![After addressing the crowd, Bryant leaves the floor for the final time.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/8b7b9c22e60bbe96413cf2a7d14007aa902e2912/c=0-0-4149-2344/local/-/media/2016/04/14/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961965651315091-2016-04-13-Kobe17.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
After addressing the crowd, Bryant leaves the floor for the final time.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports![Bryant gets a fist-bump from the folks at the scorer's table as the second half begins.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/e0aaeb30e558c16913e2dfdb94d6f7fe5a78a136/c=0-0-3626-2049/local/-/media/2016/04/14/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961931581258301-USATSI-9250081.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Bryant gets a fist-bump from the folks at the scorer's table as the second half begins.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports![Kobe Bryant celebrates a first-half bucket during the final game of his legendary 20-year career.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/1cfbe927c3d8509990ccb80d788e52a3c820617c/c=0-160-4274-2575/local/-/media/2016/04/13/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961879365048871-2016-04-13-Kobe6.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Kobe Bryant celebrates a first-half bucket during the final game of his legendary 20-year career.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports![Bryant takes one of his trademark fallaway jumpers over Jazz defender Gordon Hayward.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/532b659f9582781c7c18be032b595900b6d4bb30/c=0-0-4253-2403/local/-/media/2016/04/14/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961899622532579-2016-04-13-Kobe15.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Bryant takes one of his trademark fallaway jumpers over Jazz defender Gordon Hayward.
Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports![Bryant was certainly not going to stop giving the refs an earful just because it was his final game.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/a96564088520a4b097bff958dc7fe493d18c4b2f/c=0-0-2253-1273/local/-/media/2016/04/13/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961883471801521-2016-04-13-Kobe11.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Bryant was certainly not going to stop giving the refs an earful just because it was his final game.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports![Bryant drives to the bucket past Jazz defender Jeff Withey for a reverse layup during the first half.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/e68bb5f564388f6d8cb2e0d5cfeb907471c558dc/c=0-0-3597-2032/local/-/media/2016/04/13/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961883509085999-2016-04-13-Kobe10.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Bryant drives to the bucket past Jazz defender Jeff Withey for a reverse layup during the first half.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports![The Lakers honored Bryant with a pregame video tribute that included farewells from a number of current and former NBA stars.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/4e4d68455ec71d27162586921d20ce301469573d/c=0-192-4253-2595/local/-/media/2016/04/13/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961883486933715-2016-04-13-Kobe7.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
The Lakers honored Bryant with a pregame video tribute that included farewells from a number of current and former NBA stars.
Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports![Kobe Bryant reacts to a large ovation after a pregame tribute.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/1a0bc3322e20a6c0eb91cbab3cc11b922f0ff3b1/c=0-248-4926-3031/local/-/media/2016/04/13/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961871212540353-2016-04-13-Kobe1.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Kobe Bryant reacts to a large ovation after a pregame tribute.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports![Bryant gets a hug from fellow Lakers legend Magic Johnson after a pregame ceremony.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/abaa1cb68fac2ad55b5c370d780bf53307242d9f/c=0-134-4926-2917/local/-/media/2016/04/13/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961879358340785-2016-04-13-Kobe5.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Bryant gets a hug from fellow Lakers legend Magic Johnson after a pregame ceremony.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports![Kobe Bryant waves to the crowd after a pregame video tribute.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/082bda190a68df7dea3bdf94d22ee59e3432b8c5/c=0-147-4926-2930/local/-/media/2016/04/13/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961871235160643-2016-04-13-Kobe2.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Kobe Bryant waves to the crowd after a pregame video tribute.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports![Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist and Lakers superfan Flea performed the national anthem.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/d386b10d735ed1be321feb3beb01149192a800bc/c=0-1065-2826-2662/local/-/media/2016/04/13/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961883475389567-2016-04-13-Kobe8.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist and Lakers superfan Flea performed the national anthem.
Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports![Bryant's No. 24 adorned the court.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/2ae8fd02a93cf0af48ec9e02fc305ffcf977d1de/c=0-29-4232-2420/local/-/media/2016/04/13/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961879358028781-2016-04-13-Kobe4.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Bryant's No. 24 adorned the court.
Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports![Bryant showed he can still get up to throw down a two-handed slam.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/752358ac9ee429e6213dea924524d428184b8a20/c=0-621-2826-2218/local/-/media/2016/04/14/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961899618320525-2016-04-13-Kobe13.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Bryant showed he can still get up to throw down a two-handed slam.
Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports![Bryant shoots over Jazz defender Gordon Hayward.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/6069d01d0f955c87d48dd2c795088c87f2dfbc5f/c=468-73-3574-1828/local/-/media/2016/04/14/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961899584000085-2016-04-13-Kobe12.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Bryant shoots over Jazz defender Gordon Hayward.
Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports![Bryant and Roy Hibbert wait to check back into the game.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/6843dbe1fef4a64df35af9fd1335014bf5d80367/c=1158-542-3491-1860/local/-/media/2016/04/14/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961899573079945-2016-04-13-Kobe14.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Bryant and Roy Hibbert wait to check back into the game.
Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports![Bryant shoots over Jazz defender Trey Lyles during the first half.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/ee73a77022c97d906893cbf017638d4c2cb68795/c=993-0-3414-1368/local/-/media/2016/04/13/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961883486933715-2016-04-13-Kobe9.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Bryant shoots over Jazz defender Trey Lyles during the first half.
Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports![Kobe Bryant (24) tries to back down Jazz defender Shelvin Mack (8) during the first quarter.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/2e5d93c46585c06d145bcedfd0fc5b97d355db71/c=0-0-4297-2428/local/-/media/2016/04/13/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961879394845253-2016-04-13-Kobe3.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Kobe Bryant (24) tries to back down Jazz defender Shelvin Mack (8) during the first quarter.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports![Kobe Bryant arrives at Staples Center for his last game.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/46162cbbad791ca2eef4ebedf899eacce54185ff/c=0-151-3932-2373/local/-/media/2016/04/13/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961807818967326-USP-NBA--Utah-Jazz-at-Los-Angeles-Lakers.2.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Kobe Bryant arrives at Staples Center for his last game.
Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports![Fans wait to enter Staples Center for Kobe Bryant's final game.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/5a482fa121981e4d4af49db96bee24bfbb35a079/c=0-330-4276-2746/local/-/media/2016/04/13/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961804739195584-USP-NBA--Utah-Jazz-at-Los-Angeles-Lakers.1.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Fans wait to enter Staples Center for Kobe Bryant's final game.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports![The team put on a fan festival to commemorate Bryant's career outside Staples Center before the game.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/d4e2dc4295bc473b5c246d2018fbaa04f54080be/c=0-477-4649-3103/local/-/media/2016/04/13/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961805699225738-AP-Kobe-LA-Says-Goodbye-Basketball.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
The team put on a fan festival to commemorate Bryant's career outside Staples Center before the game.
Jae C. Hong, AP![Fans gather outside Staples Center before the game.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/36cf907998623d352222ba8e6feb36a3e93fdfe6/c=0-290-4096-2604/local/-/media/2016/04/13/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961807251591689-EPA-USA-BASKETBALL-NBA.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Fans gather outside Staples Center before the game.
Mike Nelson, EPA![A life-size Kobe Bryant puppet made an appearance outside Staples Center before the game.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/b5989c0ee1275f646b521d360fdc108dc1613117/c=0-341-3955-2575/local/-/media/2016/04/13/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961808328310591-GTY-520992426.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
A life-size Kobe Bryant puppet made an appearance outside Staples Center before the game.
Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images![The Kobe jerseys were out in full force.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/3ba63135970549fe2a66934b387651323a129ba8/c=0-133-3544-2135/local/-/media/2016/04/13/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961809027975076-EPA-USA-BASKETBALL-NBA.1.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
The Kobe jerseys were out in full force.
Mike Nelson, EPA![Staples Center was adorned with a large Kobe photo in tribute.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/8ca68758e93cdf853a30723c7f89cea871feb9ee/c=0-269-4253-2672/local/-/media/2016/04/13/USATODAY/USATODAY/635961813209113878-USP-NBA--Utah-Jazz-at-Los-Angeles-Lakers.jpg?width=660&height=373&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Staples Center was adorned with a large Kobe photo in tribute.
Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY SportsFeatured Weekly Ad