Wally Skalij / Los Angeles TimesLakers Kobe Bryant and A.C. Green after his final game at Staples Center.
Christina House / For the TimesThe Lakers store at Staples Center was all about Kobe Bryant and his merchandise on the day ofhis final NBA game.
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles TimesKobe Bryant is all smiles after his final game at Staples Center Wednesday.
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles TimesKobe Bryant greets Lamar Odom after his final game at Staples Center.
Christina House / For the TimesLOS ANGELES-CA-APRIL 13, 2016: Kobe thanks the crowd before his final game at Staples Center.
Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles TImesKobe Bryant fans swarm to Staples Center in Los Angeles to show their love for the Laker great at his last game Wednesday.
Robert Lachman / Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles City Hall is decorated with Lakers' purple and gold lights for Kobe Bryant's last game.
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles TimesKobe Bryant is mobbed as he scores 60-points in his final NBA game at the Staples Center.
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles TimesKobe Bryant signs the court late into the night at the Staples Center.
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles TimesKobe Bryant kisses his wife Vanessa long after his last game at the Staples Center.
Christina House / For The TimesKobe Bryant salutes the crowd at the end of his final game at Staples Center.
Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles TimesKobe Bryant drives to the basket during the first half of his final NBA game.
Christina House / For the TimesA young girl, sporting Kobe Bryant's original No. 8 Lakers jersey, bounces a ball on the court before the future Hall-of-Famer'sfinal game.
Christina House / For the TimesT-shirts await fans who attend Kobe Bryant's final game at Staples Center.
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles TimesKobe Bryant gets a slap from comedian George Lopez after making a three-pointer in his final game.
Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles TimesKobe Bryant leaves the court for the last time as a Laker, heading to the locker room after scoring 60 points and leading the team to a 101-96 win over the Utah Jazz.
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles TimesKobe Bryant blocks a shot by Trevor Booker in his final game at Staples Center on Wednesday.
Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles TImesKobe Bryant footwear is on display as the Laker Girls arrive for Wednesday night's game, the basketball star's last.
Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles TimesChick Hearn Court is packed as fans descend on Staples Cener to witness Kobe Bryant play his last game as a Los Angeles Laker against the Utah Jazz.
Luis Sinco / Los Angeles TimesLakers fans gather outside Staples Center before the final game of Kobe Bryant's career.
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles TimesKobe Bryant waits for introductions before his final game at the Staples Center Wednesday, April 12.
Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles TimesFront row fans, including Jack Nicholson cheer Kobe Bryant after he hits a shot during first half action against the Jazz at Staples Center.
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles TimesKobe Bryant drives the ball in the third quarter of his final game at the Staples Center Wednesday.
Luis Sinco / Los Angeles TimesFans gathered outside Staples Center ahead of Kobe Bryant's final game with the Lakers.
Christina House / For The TimesKanye West and Jay Z greet each other before Kobe Bryant's final game.
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles TimesKobe Bryant waves goodbye to the crowd after his final game at the Staples Center.
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles TimesKobe Bryant drives late in the final minutes of the game at Staples Center.
Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles TImesFans sign a giant card for Kobe Bryant outside Staples Center in Los Angeles before his final game Wednesday.
Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles TimesKobe Bryant acknowledges the Staples Center crowd during a pregame ceremony.
Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles TimesKobe Bryant kisses his wife Vanessa after his final game.
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles TimesA security guard stnds alone on the court after Kobe Bryant's last game at the Staples Center Wednesday.
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles TimesKobe Bryant is welcomed onto the court for his farewell game at Staples Center on April 13.
Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles TimesFans sign a giant card for Kobe Bryant outside Staples Center before his final game Wednesday.
Christina House / For the Los Angeles TimesMembers of a group of Kobe Bryant fans who flew in from China, including Iris Hong of Beijing, right, get excited outside Staples Center for the player's last game Wednesday.
Christina House / For The TimesThe Weeknd and girlfriend Bella Hadid arrive for Kobe Bryant's final game at Staples Center.
Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles TimesKobe Bryant with Magic Johnson before Kobe plays his last game as a Los Angeles Laker against the Utah Jazz.
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles TimesKobe Bryant takes a shot in the first quarter of his final game at the Staples Center Wednesday.
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles TimesKobe Bryant shakes hands with Shaquille O'Neal at his final game at Staples Center on April 13.
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles TimesLakers Kobe Bryant salutes the crowd at the end of the game.
Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles TimesKobe Bryant watches as the ball hits the bottom of the net during his last game as a Los Angeles Laker against the Utah Jazz.
Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles TimesKobe Bryant is stripped of the ball by Jazz guard Rodney Hood during first half action at Staples Center.
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles TimesKobe Bryant tries to steal the ball in his last game as a Laker at the Staples Center Wednesday, April 12.
Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles TimesBalloons and confetti fall after Kobe Bryant's last game
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles TimesRock star "Flea" rehearses the National Anthem before Kobe Bryant's last game on April 13 as players warm-up.
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles TimesKobe Bryant waves to the crowd as he walks off the court for the last time at Staples Center.
Christina House / For The TimesLamar Odom attends Kobe Bryant's final game at Staples Center.
Luis Sinco / Los Angeles TimesFans gather outside Staples Centerbefore Kobe Bryant's final game in a Laker uniform.
Luis Sinco / Los Angeles TimesKobe Bryant feels the love of the fans at Staples Center following his final game.
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles TimesKobe Bryant stretches out as he makes a basket during his final game as a Laker on April 12 at Staples Center.
Christina House / For The TimesKobe Bryant walks off the court after his final game at Staples Center.
Luis Sinco / Los Angeles TimesLakers fans get a Kobe chant going outside Staples Center in Los Angeles before Laker great Kobe Bryant's final game on Wednesday.
Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles TimesKobe Bryant shares a laugh with former teammate Derek Fisher on the court after scoring 60 points in his last game as a Laker at Staples Center.
Christina House / For The TimesKobe Bryant thanks the crowd after his final game at Staples Center.
Luis Sinco / Los Angeles TimesLakers star Kobe Bryant, center, heads to the locker room after scoring 22 points in the first half of his final game on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles TimesLakers Kobe Bryant pauses for a moment as confetti streams down following his last game at the Staples Center.
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles TimesSurrounded by cameras Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson embrace before Bryant's final game at the Staples Center Wednesday.
Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times
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Lakers Kobe Bryant and A.C. Green after his final game at Staples Center.
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Kobe Bryant put on quite a show in his final game before retirement Wednesday night at Staples Center. Because of the late start time, many of his fellow NBA players were able to catch the action.
They weren’t disappointed, as Bryant put up 60 points to lead the Lakers to a 101-96 comeback victory over the Utah Jazz.
The big night started with multiple tributes to Bryant and plenty of anticipation.
As expected, Bryant got the ball early and often. After a slow start, the 20-season veteran got hot and finished with 15 points in the first quarter. By the beginning of the fourth quarter, Bryant had 37 points, leading folks to think (and hope) they were on the brink of witnessing something truly special.
They weren’t disappointed. Bryant scored 23 points during that quarter, including 17 straight for the Lakers starting at the 5:41 mark.
When it was all over, there was nothing left for Bryant to say except, “Mamba out!”
Twitter, on the other hand, will likely be buzzing about it for quite some time.