What. A. Night.
Wednesday night in the NBA had it all.
A new all-time wins record set by the Warriors while Steph Curry drained his insane record 400th three? Sure. Why not?
But what happened nearly 400 miles to the south is what was truly shocking.
Kobe Bryant’s final game — a 101-96 win against the Jazz, but in the process, Kobe sinking 60 points.
Staples Center was in a frenzy, watching Kobe become the oldest player in the history of the NBA to score 60 points in a game. Not bad for a guy who’s been a walking mummy for most of the season and started the year with a montage of air balls. Heck, Kobe wasn’t even expected to play more than 36 minutes, but his teammates kept feeding him the ball … over and over and over again.
In the end, Kobe took 50 shots, but made 22 of them. The biggest shot of the night was this go-ahead jumper in the final minute that made all of Los Angeles go bonkers.
But the coolest moment of the night came before the game, with this in-house video tribute to Kobe from current and former coaches, players and teammates — even Lamar Odom made an appearance.
(Starts at 3:20)
Now a look back at Kobe’s legendary 20-year career with the Lakers, a career that gave L.A. 5 championships.
Josh Helmuth is the editor of Crave Sports. Follow him on Twitter or like the channel on Facebook here.
Photos: Getty
Kobe Bryant Tribute
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Walking off with 60
Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after scoring 60 points against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on April 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. Bryant played his last game as a Laker and retired from basketball. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Oldest player to drop 60 in NBA history
Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers high fives fans as he walks off the court after scoring 60 points against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on April 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. Bryant played his last game as a Laker and retired from basketball. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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The shot that gave Kobe 60
Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a free throw to score his 60th point and his last career point against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on April 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. Bryant played his last game as a Laker and retired from basketball. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Farewell 24
Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers waves to the crowd as he is taken out of the game after scoring 60 points against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on April 13, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. Bryant played his last game as a Laker and retired from basketball. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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LeBron and Kobe never met in the Finals
The two guard each other during a game at American Airlines Arena on January 19, 2012 in Miami, Florida. Photo: Getty
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Championship #5 against Celtics
Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers moves the ball in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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Championship #4 against Magic
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates victory following Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic at Amway Arena on June 14, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. The Lakers won the National Basketball Association championships defeating Orlando 99-86 for their 15th title and first since 2002. Bryant had 30 points, eight rebounds and six assists as the Lakers completed a four-games-to-one victory in the best-of-seven NBA Finals. AFP PHOTO / Emmanuel Dunand (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
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The three-peat
Kobe Bryant, Lindsey Hunter and Shaquille O'Neal of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate following Game Four of the NBA Finals against the New Jersey Nets on June 12, 2002 at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images)
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Shaq and Kobe back-to-back champs
Kobe Bryant (L) of the Los Angeles Lakers holds the Larry O'Brian trophy as teammate Shaquille O'Neal (L) hold the MVP trophy after winning the NBA Championship against Indiana Pacers 19 June, 2000, after game six of the NBA Finals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. The Lakers won the game 116-111 to take the NBA title 4-2 in the best-of-seven series. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read AFP/AFP/Getty Images)
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The iconic Kobe dunk
Orlando Magic guard Darrell Armstrong (L) fouls Los Angeles Lakers guard (R) Kobe Bryant during the final seconds of the game at the Arena 21 March 1999 in Orlando, FL. Bryant had a career high of 38 points to lead the Lakers to a win 115-104. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO/Tony RANZE (Photo credit should read TONY RANZE/AFP/Getty Images)
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MJ schools a young Kobe
Chicago Bulls Michael Jordan and Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant during the NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 8, 1998 at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Robert Seale / TSN.)
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Young Kobe - Slam Dunk champ
This 08 February, 1997, file photo shows Kobe Bryant, of the Los Angeles Lakers, holding the trophy for winning the NBA Slam Dunk contest at Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES/FILES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images)
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Lakers trade for Kobe following draft
Jerry West, GM, Kobe Bryant and Head Coach Del Harris (Photo by Steve Grayson/WireImage)
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Young Kobe visits Leno
THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO -- Episode 962 -- Pictured: (l-r) Professional basketball player Kobe Bryant during an interview with host Jay Leno on July 17, 1996 -- (Photo by: Margaret C. Norton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
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The beginning of the first title run
Starters for a group portrait during Laker media day at the team facility in El Segundo on Monday, Oct.2, 2000. From left are Horace Grant, Kobe Bryant,Shaquille O'Neill and Isaiah Rider. (Photo by Vince Compagnone/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
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The first championship
Kobe Bryant screams to the thousands of fans gathered at the Staples Center Wednesday, June 21, 2000. (Photo by Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
