The Laker Nation hoped for one more Game 7 level epic in Sacramento with Bryant, and they got their wish as the Kings had to survive a fourth quarter thriller to defeat the LA Lakers.
The Kings stormed out of the gates to a 23-4 lead and a victory appeared to be an after thought at half-time.
Instead, the Lakers erased a 27-point deficit in the second half whenDeMarcus Cousinswent to the bench with five fouls.
It was the Lakers young core that ignited the Sleep Train Arena, asD’Angelo Russellwent for a career-high 27 points, including three clutch shots from beyond the arc. Russell hit the go-ahead shots twice in the fourth but had to sit out after tweaking his ankle on a play at the rim.
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Jordan Clarksondropped 15 points, including thirteen in the fourth quarter. His incredible play was overshadowed by his crucial turnover in the final frame that sealed the Lakers fate.
Lou Williamsalso provided 20 points to round out the stat sheet for the Lakers.
Cousins was the star for the Kings and carried the majority of the offensive load with 29 points and 10 rebounds.
Rajon Rondofinished with 9 points and 12 assists but it was his 4 steals that changed the game. His crucial steal in the fourth gave the Kings the extra possession to put the game out of reach.
It should be noted that Russell andJulius Randleplayed roughly 30 minutes each whileLarry Nance Jr.played 18. Undoubtedly,Byron Scott‘s decision to play the pair down the stretch came after they sparked the comeback.
Despite the loss, it was a night of beautiful symmetry asKobe Bryantput on a show for the final time in the state capitol in front ofVlade Divac.
The former Serbian center is now the GM of the Sacramento Kings and has his jersey hanging in the Sleep Train Arena rafters. But as of late, the chapter in his career that he is known for is being traded to the Charlotte Hornets for Kobe Bryant.
Twenty years later, Divac holds no ill will for the transaction. He does state that it was a difficult time and considered retirement whenJerry Westgave him the news years ago.
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In hindsight, he claimed that he was glad that he didn’t retire and did not impede the Lakers and Kobe from going on to create history.
Memorably, he stated “Jerry West did a great job finding a way to bring Kobe to the Lakers. If I had a chance, I would’ve also traded myself for him.”
Bryant finished the night with 28 points. He gave the fans in Sacramento one last dunk in the second quarter as well as drained a jumper with the clock winding to send the pro-Laker crowd into a frenzy.
Bryant also reached 33,000 point mark, joiningKareem Abdul-JabbarandKarl Malone. He is the youngest player ever to do so.
The Lakers have now lost two in a row and are only half-way through a formidable back-to-back.
Next: Who Should Lakers Trade At Deadline?
They will be facingKevin Durant,Russell Westbrook, and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Staples Center on Friday night.
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