Kobe Bryant Finally Has A Good Game, Lakers Upset Wizards

A day after getting embarrassed by the previously winless Philadelphia 76ers, it was the turn of the Los Angeles Lakers to deal the embarrassment beating the Washington Wizards, 108-104 on Wednesday night.

Kobe Bryant, who announced his retirement at the end of the season earlier this week, finally had a good game this season logging in 31 points, including a couple of baskets late in the game that gave the Lakers just their third victory of the season.

Jordan Clarkson added 18 points while Julius Randle had a double-double of 15 points and 19 rebounds for the Lakers, who lost to the 76ers, 103-91 Tuesday as Philadelphia snapped a 28-game losing streak dating back to last season.

Veterans Lou Williams and Brandon Bass added 12 and 10 points, respectively for the Lakers.

Bryant and the Lakers actually built a 16-point lead, 45-29 nearly halfway into the second quarter but the Wizards made a run and cut down the advantage, 57-51 at the halftime break.

The game was close the rest of the way and was decided in the final minutes. After John Wall (34 points, 11 assists and 7 rebounds) gave the Wizards a 99-98 lead with 1:07 to go, Bryant made back-to-back baskets to give the Lakers the three-point advantage, 103-101.

A Wall turnover was costly for the Wizards, who have now lost five of their last six games to drop to 7-9 for the season. Washington continue a three-game home stand with games against the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks in their next two outings.

Bryant’s “farewell tour” continues Friday, when the Lakers aim for their first back-to-back wins of the season against the Atlanta Hawks.