6. Kobe’s Christmas Day swan song
The 2015-16 season was not a good one for the Lakers. The team ended the season with a record of 17-65, which is the worst mark in franchise history. The whole season revolved around the retirement tour for Kobe Bryant.
Bryant’s illustrious 20-year career came to end following this season. That made this year’s Christmas Day game the final one in his career. However, it wasn’t a great performance for the Black Mamba.
The Lakers faced off with the co-tenants, the Los Angeles Clippers. It was an ugly game overall, as the Clippers won 94-84. The game was nowhere near as close as the final score indicates, as the Lakers won the fourth quarter 27-9 and still lost by 10.
Bryant would finish the game with 12 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. D’Angelo Russell was the leading scorer off the bench with 16 points, while Julius Randle added 11 as well off the bench.
While Bryant’s final Chrismas Day game wasn’t a great one, his finale against the Utah Jazz that season was as he poured in 60 in a Lakers’ victory.