Fortunately, the injury was not serious this time, and Kobe did not take a rest.
The Lakers were far behind and the situation was critical. Kobe leaving the game at this time meant giving up the game.
Once Yongsanmao gets going, no one can stop him. The only way to suppress the Warriors and prevent them from getting going is to cause damage and get to the free throw line to score points.
But Kobe is the only one in the Lakers who can do this!
Giving up this game means that the entire season's efforts are wasted!
This is something Kobe will never allow!
Kobe did not take a break and insisted on staying on the court to fight.
Curry scored 15 points again in the third quarter, and even the Lakers couldn't guard him.
Fortunately, Kobe also made several difficult mid-range shots to maintain the point difference and prevent the game from losing suspense.
The Lakers' hope lies in the fourth quarter!
According to the current rhythm of the Warriors, they have nothing to ask for. In the fourth quarter, all substitutes usually play. This is a good time for the Lakers to chase points.
As expected, Deng Fang still sent out a substitute lineup in the fourth quarter, and Curry and others sat down to rest.
Although the fourth quarter is crucial, the bench also needs training.
Kobe stayed on the court and continued to break through mid-range shots and score.
The Warriors' substitutes didn't feel good today. The Lakers' gambling-style defense and the strategy of shrinking the inside and leaving the Warriors on the outside worked, and the point difference continued to shrink!
With 5 minutes and 08 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Kobe hit Barnes with a 45-degree pull-up three-pointer from the left, bringing the score to 107-104!
Just over a minute later, Kobe stood up from the ground and hit a super long three-pointer again, 107-107, tied!
The Warriors bench players were a little confused.
Isn't Kobe Bryant's three-pointer inaccurate?
We were so accurate at three points, how dare they let us go short?
What happened to Kobe today?
It looks like the end of the world!
Assistant coach Adams asked Deng Fang in a low voice if he wanted to call a timeout.
Deng Fang remained silent.
Deng Fang knew about this game. He remembered it very clearly and knew what would happen next.
He wanted to give Kobe a chance!
Of course, it’s also good to let the substitutes experience this moment, which is also a kind of training.
The game continued, and the Warriors were still on the court as substitute players.
The only difference is that Deng Fang brought in Barnes and replaced Kirilenko.
Barnes wants to stay with the Warriors for a long time, but Kirilenko does not, so we need to give Barnes more opportunities.
With 3 minutes and 09 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Warriors led by one point, Kobe broke through with the ball and Barnes defended.
This goal must be scored, otherwise morale will come to the Warriors' side and it will be more difficult for the Lakers to come back.
Kobe dribbled to a sudden stop near the free throw line, passed by Barnes, turned around and wanted to shoot, but his feet went soft and he almost fell to the ground.
Kobe reluctantly threw the ball, then limped toward the backcourt with his hands on his ankles, his expression very painful.
The spectators on the sidelines thought at first that this was just an ordinary minor injury and that it would be fine once Kobe stood up.
But after standing up, Kobe could no longer walk normally, but staggered, and his left foot could not touch the ground!
It's obvious that Kobe can't play anymore.
The audience present knew that Kobe was injured and that it was serious, but they didn't know the details.
Only Deng Fang knew that it was a ruptured Achilles tendon!
This was the biggest injury in Kobe's career, which directly led to his decline and eventual retirement.
To be honest, the Warriors cannot be blamed for this goal at all. It was entirely caused by Kobe's overwork and working too hard.
As a professional player, Kobe must have known the general condition of his injury, and he knew in his heart that he would not be able to play in the following games.
Although the Achilles tendon rupture was a serious injury and very painful, Kobe still endured the pain and came to the free throw line and completed two free throws.
These two free throws also helped the Lakers take the coveted lead!
Kobe also exited the game after the free throw.
These two free throws were the most heartbreaking scene for Lakers fans.
Afterwards, Kobe recalled the two free throws after rupturing his Achilles tendon and said: "I didn't look at it that way. I thought to myself: 'Okay, I still have to shoot those two free throws.' I didn't think like that, 'I can't.'
Go shoot the free throws. 'It's not like that, we need those free throws and I can shoot them, so, I'm going to shoot them. I'm not thinking maybe I should just quit the game, I still have to do my job. You know what,
I still had to make free throws. Then, when I was walking away with my injured leg, I was thinking about how to end the game."
Historically, Kobe Bryant was reimbursed for the season due to this Achilles tendon rupture. In the end, the Lakers were swept out in the first round of 2013, and the Lakers' four kings also fell apart.
And Kobe can never reach the heights he was before the injury after his comeback!
Back in the game, there were more than three minutes left and the Lakers were leading by one point.
Because Kobe Bryant left the game injured, both teams were affected to a certain extent.
Logically speaking, Deng Fang should have called a timeout to give the players some chicken soup to encourage them, but Deng Fang did not call a timeout and signaled the game to continue.
Give the Lakers a chance and let them decide their own destiny!
Kobe was injured and left the game, and D'Antoni replaced Meeks, a pitcher, to play with Blake, Artest, Gasol and Howard.
The Lakers' lineup can only play inside.
The interior offense mainly depends on Gasol, and Howard is unreliable.
Fortunately, Gasol and Artest took the responsibility and continued to attack the inside to cause damage.
Deng Fang did not make any substitutions, leaving Lopez alone to guard the inside line.
Forget it if you can't hold on, that's what the Lakers deserve!
On the defensive end, Howard also performed very well. He worked hard to defend every time and made several big blocks in the penalty area!
In the end, the Lakers narrowly defeated by 3 points and won this precious victory!
Kobe played 45 minutes in the game, making 9 of 21 shots and scoring 34 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.
Curry played 24 minutes, made 17 of 31 shots, and scored 47 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists.
Obviously, although Kobe's data is good, Curry's efficiency is higher!
No matter what, the Lakers still won this game and kept their ranking!
After this game, the Warriors' number of losses reached double digits, making it impossible to set a new record.
Of course, Deng Fang didn't care either.
Even if they lose the next two games, the first place in the league still belongs to the Warriors.
Our goal is the championship, the regular season record does not matter!
…
In the next two games, Deng Fang was no longer merciful, and there was no suspense about the results. They were all big wins.?
The playoffs are coming, and it’s time for the players to find a winning state.
Finally, at the end of the season, the Warriors ranked first in the league with a record of 72 wins and 10 losses!
No. 1 for four consecutive seasons, which also created a new record in the NBA!
