| |
|
NBA -- Lakers fall in Kobe's final Xmas Day game
By Homer D. Sayson PhilBoxing.com Sun, 27 Dec 2015

CHICAGO -- In his 20 decorated seasons in the NBA, Kobe Bryant had appeared in a record 16 Christmas Day games. His last one was early today at the Staples Center and it left little memories for the five-time champion's scrapbook.
The 37-year old Bryant who will be retiring at season's end, made only 4-of-10 field goals and settled with 12 points, three rebounds and three assists in 26 minutes and four seconds of action. He sat out the entire fourth quarter as their crosstown rivals, the L.A. Clippers hung on to a 94-84 triumph in front of 18, 997 fans at the Staples Center.
"There's a little mixed emotions, honestly. I mean, I'm so used to playing on Christmas it's kind of become part of our family routine," the 17-time All-Star told NBA.com. "I'm just very, very thankful to be able to play this many games on Christmas. Growing up and watching the Bulls and the Knicks and all those great games on Christmas Day, having been a part of this for many years has been cool."
With the latest setback, the Lakers fell to 5-25, last place in the Western Conference.
Chris Paul guided the Clips with 23 points and six dimes while Blake Griffin and Jamal Crawford each had 13. The Clips entered the final 12 minutes with an 85-57 advantage, which proved more than enough to hold off the Lakers who made a great fourth quarter run.
D'Angelo Russell led all Lakers with 16 while Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle contributed 11 apiece. The Lakers converted only 32 of 77 field goals (41.6 percent) and 7-of-23 triples (30.4 percent). They also missed 12 of their 25 free throws.
Photo: In his final Xmas Day game, Kobe Bryant managed just 12 points as his Lakers fell to the Clippers, 94-84 at Staples Center.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Undefeated Unified Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo Claims WBO International Flyweight Title, Stops Neider Valdez in Two Rounds , Sun, 21 Jun 2026Pascuale Perez: Argentina's First World Champion By Ray Dunbar, , Sun, 21 Jun 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: Mexico’s Greatness Takes Center Stage By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Sun, 21 Jun 2026Boxing world shocked by Turki Alalshikh's health condition By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 21 Jun 2026Rising Star H2O Sylve Shines in Long Beach, Defeats JoJo Diaz in MF Pro's Historic U.S. Debut on DAZN , Sun, 21 Jun 2026Weigh-in Results: Collazo and Valdez On Weight for Flyweight Showdown in Oceanside By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 20 Jun 2026“I feel Murat’s style is a perfect match for me.” Tony Yoka prepares for Murat Gassiev , Sat, 20 Jun 2026Alex Eala continue her magical run by beating World No. 8 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 20 Jun 2026BOXING LEGEND: JIMMY CARRUTHERS By Ray Dunbar, , Fri, 19 Jun 2026WEIGHTS FROM LONG BEACH H2O SYLVE vs. JOJO DIAZ , Fri, 19 Jun 2026Collazo vs. Valdez Final Press Conference Quotes , Fri, 19 Jun 2026Alex Eala beats World No.2 Elena Rybakina By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 19 Jun 2026Undefeated Cuban Middleweight Pedro Veitia Scores Electrifying Stoppage of Previously Unbeaten Taiwo Afolabi , Fri, 19 Jun 2026Riyadh Season boxing events will stream free starting in November By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 19 Jun 2026Heavyweight Contender Gustavo "The Cuban Assassin" Trujillo Returns June 28 in Main Event of "Fist of Fury 11" , Fri, 19 Jun 2026DC Eagles routs Perfect, 5-1 in R5 By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 19 Jun 2026PCCI Las Piñas Leaders to Visit Lipa for the June 20 JCI Rapid Chess Tournament , Fri, 19 Jun 2026Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez eyes five squads in JCI Senate Lipa 3X3 Open Rapid Chess Tournament on June 20 By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 19 Jun 2026PACHECO CLASHES WITH ALEEM ON STACKED LA CARD , Thu, 18 Jun 2026Rising Mexican Contender Neider Valdez Steps in to Face Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo in WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Championship Fight , Thu, 18 Jun 2026Sumabong to defend WBO title against undefeated Taiwanese on July 11 in Bohol By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026Jordan Orozco Remains Perfect with Dominant Third-Round TKO of Fernando Diaz on MVP/Boxlab Card in Orlando , Wed, 17 Jun 2026Floyd Mayweather Jr could face charges of fraud in Las Vegas By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026EDDIE HEARN SIGNS DIVINE OMOJOR FOR MATCHROOM BOXING ON LONG-TERM DEAL AS NEWCASTLE TEENAGE CRUISERWEIGHT TURNS PRO , Wed, 17 Jun 2026DC Trail Ultra on July 26 in Calinan By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|