On April 13, 2016, the Golden State Warriors made NBA history, winning their record-setting 73rd regular-season game. After taking down the Memphis Grizzlies 125-104, Golden State went into the locker room not to celebrate, but to watch the final game of an NBA legend.
On the same night, Kobe Bryant suited up for the last game of his NBA farewell tour against the Utah Jazz. Bryant made it memorable, scoring 60 points on 22-of-50 shooting from the field, leading Los Angeles to a 101-91 in the final game of his storied NBA career.
In the wake of a fatal helicopter crash that tragically claimed Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others’ lives, Steve Kerr was asked by Anthony Slater of The Athletic if he remembers Bryant’s epic final performance.
I do remember it — we made history and stayed out on the floor — it was a celebration out on the court and we stayed out on the floor for quite a while and then we all went in the locker room and the game was on — everybody’s whispering, ‘Kobe’s got 40’ and we watched the last few minutes as he racked up the points — players were all watching on their side of the locker room, and coaches were all in our locker room watching — it was an incredible night.
Warriors won their record 73rd game the same night Kobe finished his career with 60 points. Steve Kerr recalls that night, remembering the team, fresh off NBA history, going back to the locker room to watch Kobe. pic.twitter.com/MWP6FxB6ED
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 28, 2020
Kerr and the Warriors were able to celebrate Bryant’s life against the Philadelphia 76ers with an eight and 24-second violation at the start of their game.
The Warriors will have a chance to honor Bryant in San Francisco when they return to Chase Center on February 8 against his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers.