The Los Angeles Lakers snapped their ten game losing streak on Tuesday night thanks to a great performance by Kobe Bryant. Despite age finally catching up to the five-time champion, Bryant once again came up clutch for the Lakers just when they needed it the most. Behind his 38 points, the Lakers were able to escape with a 119-115 victory and avoided the franchise record for most consecutive losses.
Bryant hit seven three-pointers on the night and his jumper in the final seconds all but sealed the win for the Lakers. The 20-year veteran has been carrying the Lakers for two decades now and everyone trusts him whenever the game is on the line.
After the win, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins told the media what Kobe has meant to the league as well as him personally, via Bob Garcia of Sports Out West:
Andrew Wiggins on Kobe Bryant: "He's the greatest of my generation. He perfected the game of basketball." #Lakers #timberwolves #NBA
— Bob Garcia IV (@bgarciaivsports) February 3, 2016
Bryant idolized Michael Jordan growing up and he modeled his game after the Chicago Bulls guard. However, for people in this generation, the player they looked up to was Bryant. The two guards changed the way the position was played and their impact on the NBA has been extraordinary.
Wiggins finished the game with 30 points to go alongside his five rebounds in a losing effort. The Wolves surged back from a second half deficit, but behind Kobe’s timely baskets, the Lakers were able to hold off the explosive squad.
The Lakers now stand at 10-41 on the season with the Wolves one spot ahead of them in the conference standings with a 14-36 record. Los Angeles will be back on the court Thursday night when the team travels to New Orleans to take on the Pelicans.