Los Angeles, CA – Ten years after Kobe Bryant's legendary farewell performance, the echoes of his 60-point explosion in the Los Angeles Lakers' final game of the 2015-16 season continue to resonate across the NBA. On April 13, 2016, Bryant, then 37 and wrapping up a 20-year career marred by injuries, led the Lakers to a 101-96 victory over the Utah Jazz at Staples Center, scoring all of the team's last 17 points in a display that transformed a forgettable 17-65 season into an unforgettable night. The anniversary, marked this week, has prompted reflections from teammates, opponents, coaches, and officials who were there, many still marveling at how the Black Mamba struck one last time.
The game began inauspiciously for Bryant, with his first five shots missing the mark – a 3-pointer from the left wing that fell short, a midrange jumper that went long, two attempts inside the paint that didn't drop, and an 18-footer that bounced out. The crowd's audible displeasure filled the arena, but when Bryant finally connected on a 10-footer with 5:12 left in the first quarter, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. "When he made that shot, we knew it was about to just keep pouring," teammate Jordan Clarkson told ESPN, recalling how the groans turned into thunderous "Kobe" chants as he hit five straight shots in rapid succession.
Andrew Bernstein, a Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame photographer who had documented Bryant's career since snapping his first headshot in October 1996, captured the moment's electricity. "After he made that first shot and the crowd just [sent] like a surge of encouragement, support and probably a little bit of relief, too," Bernstein said. "Like he's off the schnied, he's on the board. Even if he left with four points, nobody cares at this point." Julius Randle, now a forward for the Minnesota Timberwolves who played 33 minutes alongside Bryant that night, remembered the intensity in his eyes. "He turned into the Black Mamba really fast," Randle said. "You could just see it in his eyes. He wanted to win that game like it was a championship."
By game's end, Bryant's 60 points on 22-of-50 shooting had everyone – from courtside celebrities like Jay-Z and Shaquille O'Neal to the Jazz players tasked with containing him – in awe. The performance came amid a franchise-worst season, but for one night, it overshadowed the struggles. "I can't say we expected that. But it's Kobe," teammate Larry Nance Jr. told ESPN. "You expected something." The Lakers' victory provided a sweet finale, turning what could have been a somber exit into a coronation for one of the league's all-time greats.
Bernstein, then the NBA's senior photographer, spent the entire day with Bryant, starting at 4 a.m. when he drove to Bryant's office in Newport Beach. There, Bryant was already in a meeting, showcasing his trademark work ethic. They later helicoptered to Staples Center, where Bryant dozed off mid-flight, a sign of his remarkable calm. "This guy had a heart rate like it was a constant chill," Bernstein recounted. "Just incredible on that day of all days that he was just so relaxed and at peace. It was wonderful to see, actually." Upon arrival, dressed in an all-black suit and shades, Bryant signed autographs and remained gracious, betraying no nervousness.
In the locker room, Lakers color analyst Stu Lantz, in his 29th season, overheard Bryant's pregame mindset. "I'm going to have some fun tonight," Bryant told him. "When Kobe would say things like that, you knew something special was going to happen," Lantz said. The pregame atmosphere was electric and chaotic, with the arena packed early. NBA official David Guthrie, one of three referees that night, noted the unusual scene as he entered the floor. "When we got to the arena, it was a little bit more than usual... But once we walked out onto the floor pregame, as soon as you walked out, it's like the building was already full of people. There was celebrities everywhere. There was media everywhere, all over the floor."
Special festivities preceded tipoff, including a speech from Magic Johnson calling Bryant "the greatest Laker ever," a video tribute featuring Shaquille O'Neal, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry, and the national anthem performed by Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea. Public address announcer Lawrence Tanter, in his 43rd season, described the scene as "pretty hectic." When Tanter introduced the Lakers' starting lineup, another video aired with teammates expressing appreciation. Nance admitted the lengthy intro left little time to prepare. "You don't," he said. "You just appreciate it... It was his night."
ESPN sideline reporter Lisa Salters reported that the plan was for Bryant to play 36 minutes, adjustable based on the game's flow and his condition. The Lakers started sluggishly, trailing 6-4 early, but Bryant's block on Trevor Booker sparked his scoring spree. His fourth make in that streak – a contested corner 3 over Rodney Hood – had him hopping in celebration. For Lantz, it was an omen. "I'm thinking, 'That shot has no chance of going in.' It went in," he said. "I'm like, 'This is his night. This is Kobe Bryant's night.'"
Bryant responded to Utah's next possession with another 3, laughing toward Joe Ingles who had contested it. "Obviously now, especially after [Bryant's death in 2020], you'll always remember those moments," Ingles told ESPN. "I didn't think I'd play in the NBA, let alone play in his last game. Really, really special moment." He played the full first quarter, scoring 15 points on 5-of-13 shooting. In the second, he added 7 on 2-of-7, while Nance nearly posterized Jeff Withey, drawing a reaction from Jack Nicholson mid-interview.
The game plan was straightforward, as coach Byron Scott revealed later on Power 106 Los Angeles. In every huddle, after trainer Gary Vitti – also in his final game before retirement – handed him the board, Scott's message was simple: "All right, here's the play, guys. Kobe got the ball here. Rest of y'all, get the hell out the way." He added, "Kobe, if you want to pick and roll, just call one of them up... Everybody get the hell out the way." After halftime, Bryant erupted for 15 in the third, reaching 37 points and 30 minutes. Before the fourth, he told Scott, "Coach, let me go, I feel good," despite signs of fatigue after playing a season-high 42 minutes – his most since November 2014.
Lantz, who often joked Bryant had a third lung, noticed the exception that night. Postgame, he told Bryant he was "sucking air," to which the star replied, "I was dying." Yet, teammates like Nance emphasized their role in the unselfish effort. "It was just rebound and give the ball to him," Nance said. "We were getting stops strictly to give the ball to him. We were setting screens strictly to get him shots. It was just all-out sacrifice for one common goal, and that was this guy."
The fourth quarter's climax saw Bryant score the final 17 points in just 1:12, turning an eight-point deficit into victory. A layup for points 46 and 47 cut the lead, followed by free throws and more layups to pull within four with 1:27 left. After a stop, Nance rebounded and found Bryant, who used a screen from Randle to drain a 3 over Trey Lyles, tying the score at 93. Celebrities reacted viscerally – Nicholson clapping excitedly, Jay-Z mouthing "wow," Snoop Dogg dancing. Lantz was in disbelief: "I was in la la land... I've seen every game the kid has ever played in the pros, but I've never seen anything like this on your last game."
Ingles, facing a Jazz team with the league's seventh-best defensive rating but missing Rudy Gobert, marveled at Bryant's zone. "Some of the shots he was making, it didn't f---ing matter if we sent five people to him, he was going to make some of those shots," he said. "It honestly felt like the second half, the more he made more shots, at that point it was like he's not f---ing missing now. He's in that mode now." Bryant's final field goal, a 19-foot midrange jumper, gave the Lakers the lead, followed by free throws for 59 and 60. His career ended with an assist on an outlet to Clarkson, putting LA up five with four seconds left.
Bryant tapped his chest nine times before embracing Nance, Randle, Clarkson, and D'Angelo Russell in a poignant group hug. Clarkson, who scored on that final assist, sees symbolism in it. "Something he passed down to all of us young dudes that were there, I think that's like the symbolism of it," he said. "His knowledge and everything. So it's pretty dope for me. I'll hold that and cherish it." Subbing out to a standing ovation, Bernstein captured the bittersweet exit beside the bench. "The players and the crowd was just going bananas," he said. "And I do remember thinking, wow, that's the last time I'll see him check out of a game."
Officials like Guthrie, too busy during the game to fully absorb it, later high-fived colleagues and saved the box score – the only one from his 21-year career. "That's the one thing that I have from the game is that box score," he said. "And that's really the only thing that I ever want from it is just that box score, which is just a normal thing you get every game. But that one's just a little bit, it's more special." For Ingles, it's among his top games; for Nance, it's No. 1 outside family matchups; for Clarkson, nothing matches the energy.
Bryant's path to that night was grueling. Injuries, starting with a torn Achilles in 2012-13, limited him to 41 games over the next two seasons. Scott's goal was simply health for Game 82, and with icing on knees, elbows, and wrists, Bryant appeared in 66 games. Young Lakers and Ingles, who entered the league in 2014-15, witnessed a glimpse of the prime they missed. "You could see him willing himself," Nance said. "Because we had seen the bumps and bruises and aches and pains he had gone through all year to get to that point. But when he locked in, you could tell there was another gear he went to."
Postgame, O'Neal asked Bryant on the baseline, "How'd you do that s---, man?" Bryant's response: "I have no idea." Ten years on, as Randle, Clarkson, and others thrive, the game stands as a testament to Bryant's enduring influence. While the Warriors set an NBA record with 73 wins that same night, Staples Center's magic lingers, a final venomous bite from the Mamba that no one saw coming – yet everyone believed possible.