Lakers Star Kobe Bryant Scores 35 In Loss To Rockets

Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers are headed toward unfamiliar territory. Superstar Kobe Bryant will head into retirement after the team’s last game is played this season on April 13 against the Utah Jazz at the Staples Center.

In Bryant’s third-to-last game, the five-time NBA champion went up against a former teammate in Dwight Howard and fellow superstar James Harden. Although Bryant’s health has been in question all season long due to lingering injury issues, the future Hall of Famer put on a show against the Rockets on Sunday.

Bryant finished with a team-high 35 points in efficient fashion on Sunday going 10-for-22 from the floor while keeping his Lakers in the game for the majority of the contest. Despite Los Angeles ultimately falling in Houston, Bryant provided signs of hope that he’d be able to finish out his career on a high note by continuing to play at a high level.

Kobe talked about his 35-point performance after the game saying the following, via ESPN’s Baxter Holmes:

“I’m eternally optimistic,” Bryant said. “I think the jump shot was falling. The legs felt good. And then you have nights like this. But it wouldn’t be something that surprised me.”

With Sunday’s game against the Rockets officially in the books, the Lakers will travel to Oklahoma City to face off against Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. The Thunder will likely be heavy favorites for Kobe’s final road game on Monday as Oklahoma City aims to finish out the season as the third seed in the Western Conference.

Following Monday’s game, the Lakers will return to Los Angeles for the team’s season finale. Bryant’s last game will take a backseat to the Golden State Warriors’ attempt at setting the best record in NBA history, but will be must-see television for all basketball fans.