Kobe scores 13 after announcement, but Pacers beat Lakers
LOS ANGELES — Kobe Bryant scored 13 points on 4-of-20 shooting after declaring he will retire at the end of the season, as the Indiana Pacers hung on to send his Los Angeles Lakers to their sixth consecutive defeat, 107-103 Sunday.
Paul George scored the Pacers’ final 11 points in the last 1:27, finishing with 39 as Indiana opened a four-game West Coast road trip with its fifth straight victory despite blowing all but one point of a 22-point lead.
Article continues after this advertisementBryant overcame another poor shooting night with two big late jumpers that reflected his vintage offensive skills. His quick-release 3-pointer from straightaway with 11 seconds left trimmed Indiana’s lead to 104-103.
After the Lakers got the ball back with a three-point deficit, Bryant shot an airball on a 3-pointer.