‘What Can I Say, Mamba Out,’ Kobe Bryant Retires on a Winning Note

Bryant’s career came to a close on Thursday with the Lakers beating the Utah Jazz 101-96.

Kobe Bryant went out absolutely firing in his final game before retirement, giving the Los Angeles Lakers one more dazzling display of offense to close out his 20-year career.

And he went out a winner.

Scoring 60 points — on 50 shots — Bryant’s career came to a close Wednesday night with the Lakers beating the Utah Jazz 101-96. Bryant hugged former teammate Shaquille O’Neal in the final seconds and scored 23 points in the final quarter.

It was a storybook finish, the sixth 60-point game of his career. It also was the most shots taken by anyone in an NBA game in the last 30 seasons.

Bryant checked out with 4.1 seconds left, serenaded by “Kobe! Kobe! Kobe!” chants. He retires as the NBA’s No. 3 all-time scorer and won five championships. No one in NBA history ever scored more points in his last game.