No rivalry in the NBA comes close to that of the Lakers and Boston Celtics. The teams boast a combined 33 championships and numerous legends, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Bill Russell.
One more of those names — Kobe Bryant — will play his final game in Beantown on Wednesday. Before Bryant’s last contest on the famed parquet floor, we look back at his finest performances in Boston.
23 Straight in Game 5 (June 13, 2010) Bryant has beaten the Celtics nine times in 16 regular-season games in Boston, but he went 1-5 there in the NBA Finals.
On a night when his teammates shot just 35.3 percent, even Bryant couldn’t will the Lakers to a Game 5 victory in 2010. The reigning Finals MVP scored all of Los Angeles’ 23 points during a 14-minute stretch, including the first 19 of the third quarter.
However, despite Bryant finishing with 38 points on 13-of-27 shooting with four 3-pointers, the Lakers fell, 92-86, pushing them on the brink of elimination, which never came.
What Injury? (March 10, 2004) Hampered by a shoulder injury that was expected to keep him out for a month, Bryant didn’t even fly with the team out to Boston.
But after sitting out only two games, the then-25-year-old was feeling better and rushed out to the arena with less than 90 minutes till tip-off.
Though he shot just 4-of-16 from the field, Bryant handed out 10 assists, while hitting 10-of-14 free throws to score 18 points.
Aided by Shaquille O’Neal (28 points) and Gary Payton (20), Bryant was able to spark the Lakers’ 117-109 victory over Paul Pierce (30) and the Celtics, whose six-game win streak came to a sudden end.
Pouring it On (March 20, 2006) After missing his first four shots of the game, Bryant exploded for a 43-point night in Beantown.
The eventual scoring champion finished the night with an 18-of-39 clip, while also snatching five steals.
Bryant singlehandedly kept the Celtics at bay, as he scored all of the Lakers’ final 12 points in their 105-97 victory.
“MVP!” Chants in Boston (Jan. 31, 2007) Only the most tremendous off efforts could elicit the most unlikely of responses.
In the final two minutes of L.A.’s 111-98 win, Bryant hammered a reverse dunk and then hit his seventh triple of the night on his team’s next possession.
The eruption capped off Bryant’s 43-point performance and sent the Boston crowd into “MVP!” chants for the Lakers superstar.
It was a largely pro-L.A. crowd by then, as Bryant and co. sent their rivals to their franchise record-tying 13th consecutive loss. The 28-year-old shot 13-of-25, including 7-of-9 from downtown, while also racking up eight rebounds and eight assists.
Finals Victory (June 8, 2010) Amidst especially vocal “Beat L.A.!” chants, Bryant powered the Lakers to his lone NBA Finals victory in Boston.
Bryant racked up 29 points on 10-of-29 shooting to push Los Angeles past the Celtics, 91-84, in Game 3 of the 2010 series.
The eventual Finals MVP also tallied seven rebounds, four assists and three blocks, while hitting a clutch bucket in the final two minutes.
Kevin Garnett scored to bring Boston’s deficit down to two, but Bryant immediately responded with a 15-foot jumper, which kept the Celtics from getting any closer.
