Photos: Kobe Bryant's glittering 20-year NBA career ends

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Kobe Bryant's glittering 20-year NBA career ends with season-high 60 points as Los Angeles Lakers legend leads win over Utah Jazz

• Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant's final NBA match came against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night
• The 37-year-old scored 60 points as the Lakers defeated the Jazz in an-all Western Conference encounter
• Shaquille O'Neal, Jack Nicholson and Jay Z were among the famous faces inside the sold out Staples Center

Kobe Bryant finished his glorious NBA career in a fairytale manner as he scored 60 points for the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday

Bryant's scoring figures were a season-high as he led the Lakers to victory over the Utah Jazz

Bryant rises high for a dunk during his swansong NBA appearance as the Lakers triumphed 101-96 at the Staples Center

The 37-year-old waves to his devoted supporters for one last time as he checks out of the match to a standing ovation with seconds left

Bryant (right) shares a passionate kiss with his wife Vanessa after the game - as one chapter of his illustrious life closes

Bryant with a loving fist-bump for his youngest daughter Gianna at the end of his final match as a Laker

Addressing the crowd post-match, Bryant admitted he was shocked about his fairytale ending: 'It's hard to believe it happened this way,'

The two-time Olympic gold medalist was showered in purple and gold at the end as he walked off the court

The Staples Center was awash with purple and gold confetti as the curtain came down on Bryant's glittering career

 

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Lakers legend Bryant acknowleges the crowd prior to his stellar 20-year NBA career coming to an end on Wednesday night

The 37-year-old waves to the Staples Center crowd as he is given a rapturous reception upon entering the court

The 18-time All-Star was given a video tribute played on the Jumbotron suspended from the rafters at Staples Center

Bryant was introduced on court by another LA Lakers idol, Magic Johnson, who described him as 'the greatest' ever to wear their uniform

The pair embrace as Johnson delivers some heartfelt words in Bryant's ear ahead of tip-off against Utah

 

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Bryant makes his way out on to court ahead of tip-off close to a clamour of fans who were lucky enough to get tickets

All eyes were understandably on the Philadelphia-born star - with millions across the world watching his final match

Bryant salutes the adoring Staples Center crowd during an emotional pre-match ceremony in his swansong appearance

The man known as 'Black Mamba' smiles and claps as the tributes pour in from the basketball fraternity over his wonderful career

Hollywood actor Jack Nicholson (left picture, centre) and Shaquille O'Neal (right picture, left) were among the famous faces in the crowd

O'Neal (centre) engages in a conversation with former Lakers team-mate Bryant (left) and franchise trainer Gary Vitti

American rapper Jay Z was another star courtside at a sold-out Staples Center on Wednesday to watch Bryant's farewell match

Former England captain David Beckham was fortunate to witness the last act of Bryant's greatness courtside too

 

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KOBE BRYANT'S ILLUSTRIOUS CAREER IN NUMBERS
• 48,618: Minutes played, the sixth most in NBA history.

• 33,630: Career points, third on the NBA’s all-time scoring list behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387) and Karl Malone (36,928).

• 5,640: Points scored in the NBA Playoffs, third most in NBA history behind Michael Jordan (5,987) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (5,762).

• 81: Points in a 122-104 victory against the Toronto Raptors on Jan. 22, 2006, the second-highest total in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game in 1962.

• 60: The amount of points he scored in his final game, against Utah Jazz on April 13. It was the sixth time he had scored 60 in a game, second most in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain (32).

• 50: A points tally he has achieved in a game 25 times, third most in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain (118) and Michael Jordan (31).

• 37: This season he became the first player aged 37 or older to score at least 25 points in three straight games since Michael Jordan at 40 in 2003.

• 24: Jersey number beginning in the 2006-07 season after switching from No 8.

• 20: Seasons with the Lakers, the most with one team in NBA history.

• 18: Consecutive All-Star Game selections (the longest streak in NBA history) and All-Star Game selections overall (the second most all time behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 19).

• 16: Appearances on Christmas Day, the most in NBA history.

• 15: All-Star Game starts, the most in NBA history.

• 13: Charlotte Hornets had the 13th pick in the 1996 NBA Draft when they took Bryant.

• 11: All-NBA First Team selections, tied with Karl Malone for the most in NBA history.

• 9: NBA All-Defensive First Team selections, tied with Kevin Garnett, Michael Jordan and Gary Payton for the most in NBA history.

• 5: NBA championships, tied with Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs for the highest total among active players.

• 4: All-Star MVP Awards (2002, 2007, 2009, 2011), tied with Bob Pettit for the most in NBA history.

• 2: Finals MVP Awards (2009, 2010), Olympic gold medals (2008, 2012).

• 1: Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award (2007-08).

 

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Bryant's No 24 was imprinted on the hard court flooring in tribute to the Hall of Fame alumnus

As was the 37-year-old's No 8 - the shirt one he originally wore with the franchise when he was first drafted in 1996

Bryant hugs Lakers coach Byron Scott in the dressing room before Wednesday's match - the pair were also team-mates in 1996-97

 

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Fans gather outside the Staples Center as the arena pays tribute to Bryant with a #ThankYouKobe banner

In the fan park, supporters get the chance to see the five NBA championships that Bryant won with the Lakers

Two fans pay tribute to the 37-year-old with these hand-made thank you posters in reference to 'Black Mamba'

Lakers supporters write their enduring goodbye messages to the five-time champion - congratulating him on his career

 

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Kobe Bryant pictured as a young boy (left) before playing during the McDonald's All-American at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh in 1996

In 1996, he made NBA history as the first ever guard to be drafted straight out of high school when he eventually joined the Lakers

A year later Bryant rises high during the All-Star Slam Dunk Contest In Cleveland - which he won in August

Bryant (far right) dons a Lakers jersey as he closes down Michael Jordan (left) during an All-Star game at Madison Square Garden in 1998

The shooting guard drives to the basket for a lay-up against the Utah Jazz at the Staples Center during the 1997-98 season

In a changing of the NBA guard, Bryant replaced Jordan as the NBA's flagship player after the Chicago Bulls star's retirement

At the turn of the Millennium, Bryant (left) won his first NBA title - shining alongside imposing centre Shaquille O'Neal in 2000

Bryant celebrates the Lakers' 116-111 Game 6 win against the Indiana Pacers to clinch the NBA title - with his future wife Vanessa

Bryant celebrates with the NBA Championship trophy following the LA Lakers' 2001 win over the Philadelphia 76ers in Pennsylvania

Bryant (left, pictured with Rick Fox, Lindsey Hunter and O'Neal) managed to win the NBA Championship in a third consecutive season

On January 22, 2006, Bryant scored a career-high 81 points against the Toronto Raptors at the Staples Center

Bryant (far right), pictured with Tayshaun Prince (left) and Carmelo Anthony, pose with their 2008 Olympic gold medals

The 37-year-old will leave as a five-time NBA winner - pictured celebrating his fourth championship in 2009

Bryant's (right) last NBA championship followed in 2010 - with a series clinched over the Boston Celtics on June 17

Bryant kisses his Olympic gold medal, his second USA win, after triumphing during the 2012 London Games

However a year later on April 12, 2013, Bryant ruptured his achilles during a match against Golden State Warriors

The 37-year-old covers his face during an emotional press conference on November 10, 2015 after announcing his retirement from the NBA

Despite injuries, Bryant (right) scored 26 points against LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers on March 10

Bryant makes a jump shot during his last ever All-Star appearance during this year's game in Toronto, Canada on February 14

 

[Bavaria]

This is really nice.

Thank you Kobe.

 

[Sexer]

nikiona hao wanyamwezi huwa nafeel sana US

 

[Isanga family]

nzur sana

 

[Don Clericuzio]

R.I.P. Kobe

 

[BASIASI]

R.I.P. Kobe

And daughter Gigi k.b

 

[BASIASI]

RIP
DADY N DAUGHTER GIGI K.BRAYANT

 

[BASIASI]

MIMI NN NDEGE HATA BASI KUONDKA FAMILIA MOJA BASI MOJA KHA THUBUTU

 

[Irenga]

We lost the Lejend, rest in peace Kobe Bryant and Giana Maria Kobe

 

[kinywanyuku]

Wakuu hivi Kobe Bryant anamtoto mmoja tu?

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