Kobe Bryant Told Trevor Ariza He’d Take Out Jazz In Lakers Finale Securing Rockets Playoff Berth

Ryan Ward
3 Min Read

Kobe Bryant had a lot of memorable moments throughout his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Although Bryant has a long list of unforgettable performances and milestone achieving moments, few can compare to his last game in a Lakers uniform.

In the last couple of months leading up to Bryant’s finale, the five-time NBA champion was trying to keep his body prepared for his final game at the Staples Center. Kobe dealt with injuries, soreness, and general fatigue throughout his last season with the Lakers, but nothing was going to prevent him from putting on a show against the Utah Jazz on April 13.

In a recent interview on SiriusXM NBA Radio, Kobe’s former teammate, Trevor Ariza, claims Bryant gave him somewhat of a heads up on what to expect during his last game. Ariza’s Houston Rockets were still hoping to clinch the final playoff spot in the Western Conference and needed the Jazz to lose to the Lakers. Apparently, Bryant assured Ariza that he’d take care of the Jazz, via Justin Termine:

Although the Jazz put up a fight and took the Lakers down to the wire in the regular-season finale, Bryant was a man possessed and determined to end his basketball career on a high note. Many expected Kobe to have a big night on the last day he’d wear a Lakers uniform with 30 or 40 points being dropped on the Jazz, but no one anticipated what transpired at the Staples Center that day.

Kobe Bryant dropped a season-high 60 points before walking off the Staples Center court for the last time. Bryant gave it his all in that final performance and as a result kept his word to Ariza although the Rockets were already playoff bound by that time.

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Ryan Ward is a Reporter/Editor and shares duties of being a Social Media Manager on a daily basis at Lakers Nation. As a credentialed member of the media, Ryan covers Lakers home games, press conferences as well as interviewing players from both the NBA and NFL. A Los Angeles native, but born and bred in the UK. Long-suffering Raiders fan and a Liverpool supporter since birth.
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