In Kobe Bryant’s final trip to the city that he was originally drafted to, the Los Angeles Lakers were unable to help deliver him a victory, as they fell to the Charlotte Hornets, 108-98.
Before the game, Hornets owner Michael Jordan dedicated a video tribute to Bryant, giving the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft a terrific sendoff. Bryant then of course responded with a 16-point first half, although he would struggle in the second half.
Kemba Walker played spoiler in Kobe’s last game in front of the Charlotte crowd, scoring 38 points on 14-of-25 shooting, with 18 coming in the fourth quarter as he helped hand the Lakers their fourth consecutive loss. Los Angeles falls to 5-27 on the year, still sitting with the second-worst record in the NBA.
Up next is a highly anticipated matchup, as the next stop on Kobe’s farewell tour will be on Wednesday in Boston against the hated Celtics.
Gary, Honi and Kyle get together to break down tonight’s loss and look forward to Kobe’s final game at Boston.