Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
This one won’t go down as a monumental win in Lakers history but tonight’s gutsy 118-116 victory over the Golden State Warriors could very well go down as the most important W of the season. Then again, it could also go down as the last victory of the season.
Only time will tell.
Kobe Bryant has survived a series of injuries all season long and was doing so tonight until another ankle issue sent him to the showers early. Bryant struggled through a series leg ailments all eveing long until the clock struck midnight on his health. Still the Lakers soldiered on.
Steph Curry killed the Lake Show to the tune of 47 points 30 of which came in the first half. He even hit the back of the iron on a last second heave from beyond midcourt that could have killed the Lakers playoff hopes. Still the Lakers soldiered on. (Side note: Curry has dropped 54 and 47 in losing efforts this season. What would the media say about KB24 if similar results followed similar performances?)
Klay Thompson also lit up the Staples scoreboard with 25 including a clutch triple late. And still the Lakers soldiered on.
Down 9 with under 6 to play the playoffs were looking a pipedream what with Utah beating Minnesota earlier. But that only proved to fuel the Lakers pride.
Pau Gasol played his best game of the season dropping an eye-popping triple-double with 26, 11 and 10. The Spaniard was unstoppable as he abused every Warrior that dared to check him. Gasol came up big down the stretch scoring some huge buckets in critical moments.
And remember when Mike D’Antoni swore Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol couldn’t cohabitate?
Tell that to D12’s 28 points on only 8 shots.
While this was a true gut check that revealed the Lakers’ true nature it was also potentially a real omen. Bryant scored 34 in another inspired effort. However the early indications are that he has a possible torn Achilles. That would be terrible news not only for the sake of the season but potentially Kobe’s career.
It’s too early to go there but let’s hope for the best…This is one injury not even Mamba could soldier through.