Below is a running diary of the Lakers’ matchup against the Washington Wizards, with comments drawn from Mike Trudell’s @LakersReporter Twitter account, to ensure you’re covered from start to finish.
First Quarter
Kobe’s first field goal attempt was a pull-up J from about 19, which he hit. Clarkson added his 2nd hoop as LAL trail 14-11.
That was fast: LAL went on a 12-0 run to take a 19-14 lead, matching their biggest scoring run of the season (MIN). Time out, Wizards.
Julius Randle is taking advantage of his matchup with Jared Dudley on the glass, with all 7 Lakers rebounds so far. LAL lead 22-16.
Good quarter for the Lakers, who lead Washington 34-22 after the bench build upon the lead the starters provided.
Second Quarter
Kobe hit his 2nd 3 to reach 12 pts on 4 of 7 FG’s in his 11 minutes, putting LAL up 43-25. This is Kobe’s 4th game in 5 nights in year 20.
Kobe fans in the buildings are going nuts as he adds his patented baseline fadeaway J to make it 45-29 LAL. He’s 5 for 9 w/7:36 in the 2nd.
Lakers bench is up 18-3 in scoring on the Wiz bench. It’s a 53-34 LAL lead, their biggest of the season, after Randle’s athletic put-back.
At the 4:33 mark, LAL led by 19, but Washington went on a 17-4 run to close the half, making it 57-51 Lakers. Kobe had 18 points.
Third Quarter
Randle is all over the glass, up to a career-high tying 15 boards still early in the 3rd Q. Russell, meanwhile, has 9 points after a J.
Randle has a 16-rebound, 12-point double-double after scoring on Kobe’s 3rd assist and then again on Williams’ 3rd dime. LAL up 71-65.
LAL’s bench hung onto the lead to make it 78-75 into the 4th Q. Bass has 8, MWP and Williams 7 points apiece, plus 4 assists for Lou.
Fourth Quarter
LAL haven’t been able to get stops in the early 4th Q, the Wizards scoring in transition to take an 86-82 lead. 11-4 run.
LAL do have a season high in steals tonight with 13, led by 4 from Williams, and 3 apiece from Clarkson and Russell.
After a wild minute of steal-turnover-steal-turnover, Kobe came out of it by draining a 3. LAL fans in the building going nuts. 5:56 left.
Kobe just drained a deep 3 to put LAL up 101-99, and the building is going nuts. Bryant has 29.
They’re playing the drum for the “Defense” chant, but Lakers fans in the building are chanting “Kobe” instead. Clarkson to the FT line.
What a show by @kobebryant. 31 points toward victory in his final game in Washington.
