Kobe Bryant left this world way too early, but at least we had the pleasure to watch him leave the NBA in style. Never short on showmanship, Kobe put on a clinic in his final basketball game dropping 60 points on the Utah Jazz seven years ago. It was a fitting end to an incredible career and, in a game filled with emotion, also a reminder of just how much Bryant meant to the NBA.
You can take a look at pictures from that memorable night below:
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Fans line up to sign a large greeting card for Los Angeles Lakers player Kobe Bryant in front of Staples Center. Bryant concludes a 20-years career with a game tonight against the Utah Jazz.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Fans sign a large greeting card for Los Angeles Lakers player Kobe Bryant in front of Staples Center. Bryant concludes a 20-years career with a game tonight against the Utah Jazz.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
A board where fans can sign for Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (not pictured) before the game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
A photograph of Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (not pictured) on the exterior before the game against Utah Jazz at Staples Center.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe Bryant fans look at an interactive area in front of Staples Center before the start of the Los Angeles Lakers game against the Utah Jazz which will by Bryant’s final game of his career.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe Bryant fans wait in front of Staples Center for the start of the Los Angeles Lakers game against the Utah Jazz. Bryant concludes his 20-year NBA career tonight.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Decal of the number of Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (not pictured) on the playing floor before the game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers merchandise for court side spectators with forward Kobe Bryant logo before the game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant arrives at Staples Center for a game against the Utah Jazz. Bryant concludes his 20-year NBA career tonight.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) walks on the court before a game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Bryant concludes his 20-year NBA career tonight.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
A video is shows highlights from the career of Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant before a game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Bryant concludes his 20-year NBA career tonight.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers former player Earvin “Magic” Johnson introduces Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (not pictured) before a game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Bryant concludes his 20-year NBA career tonight.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) reaches to help Utah Jazz forward Trevor Booker (33) off the floor in the second quarter at Staples Center. Bryant played in the last game of his 20-year NBA career.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) passes the ball behind his back against Utah Jazz forward Trevor Booker (33) in the second quarter at Staples Center. Bryant played in the last game of his 20-year NBA career.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) shoots against the Utah Jazz in the second quarter at Staples Center. Bryant played in the last game of his 20-year NBA career.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) shoots over Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) in the second quarter at Staples Center. Bryant played in the last game of his 20-year NBA career.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) works against Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) in the second quarter at Staples Center. Bryant played in the last game of his 20-year NBA career.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) works the ball against Utah Jazz guard Shelvin Mack (8) at Staples Center. Bryant concludes his 20-year NBA career tonight.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) walks on the court against the Utah Jazz during the first quarter at Staples Center. Bryant concludes his 20-year NBA career tonight.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) tries to drive against Utah Jazz guard Shelvin Mack (8) in the first quarter at Staples Center. Bryant concludes his 20-year NBA career tonight.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) tries to drive against Utah Jazz guard Shelvin Mack (8) in the first quarter at Staples Center. Bryant concludes his 20-year NBA career tonight.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) shoots against Utah Jazz center Jeff Withey (24) and forward Gordon Hayward (20) during the first quarter at Staples Center. Bryant concludes his 20-year NBA career tonight.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) reacts against the Utah Jazz in the first quarter at Staples Center. Bryant concludes his 20-year NBA career tonight.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) puts up a shot against Utah Jazz guard Rodney Hood (5) and center Jeff Withey (24) and forward Trey Lyles (41) in the third quarter at Staples Center. Bryant played in the last game of his 20-year NBA career.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) directs the offense as Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) pressures him in the third quarter at Staples Center. Bryant played in the last game of his 20-year NBA career.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) shoots over Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) in the third quarter at Staples Center. Bryant played in the last game of his 20-year NBA career.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) shoots against Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) during the second half at Staples Center.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) dribbles against Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) in the third quarter at Staples Center. Bryant played in the last game of his 20-year NBA career.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) moves the ball against Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) during the second half at Staples Center.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) reacts after a basket against the Utah Jazz in the third quarter at Staples Center. Bryant played in the last game of his 20-year NBA career.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) smiles during the third quarter against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Bryant was playing in the final game of his NBA career.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) shoots to score a basket against Utah Jazz during the second half at Staples Center.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) heads off the court after being replaced by Lakers forward Ryan Kelly (4) in the final seconds of the Lakers win over the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Bryant scored 60 points in the final game of his NBA career.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) heads off the court after being replaced by Los Angeles Lakers forward Ryan Kelly (not pictured) in the final seconds of the Lakers win over the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Bryant scored 60 points in the final game of his NBA career.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) waves to the crowd as he heads to the bench before the end of the Lakers win over the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Bryant scored 60 points in the final game of his career.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) hugs Lakers head coach Byron Scott after coming out of the game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. It was the final game of Bryant’s career. He scored 60 points in the win.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) speaks to media following the 101-96 victory against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) speaks to media following the 101-96 victory against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) smiles as he addresses the crowd after the Lakers defeat of the Utah Jazz in the final game of his career at Staples Center.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) smiles as he addresses the crowd after the Lakers defeat of the Utah Jazz in the final game of his career at Staples Center.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) speaks to media following the 101-96 victory against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) speaks to media following the 101-96 victory against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) leaves a press conference after he speaks to media following the 101-96 victory against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) shoots a free throw to score his 60th point of the game against the Utah Jazz and the final points of his 20-year NBA career at Staples Center.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) waves to the crowd as he heads to the bench before the end of the Lakers win over the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Bryant scored 60 points in the final game of his career.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) waves to the Staples Center crowd as he leaves the game against the Utah Jazz in the closing seconds. Bryant scored 60 points in the final game of his career.
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) waves to the Staples Center crowd as he leaves the game against the Utah Jazz in the closing seconds. Bryant scored 60 points in the final game of his career.
