{"id":1547982,"date":"2023-01-27T16:37:48","date_gmt":"2023-01-27T21:37:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/?p=1547982"},"modified":"2023-01-27T16:38:40","modified_gmt":"2023-01-27T21:38:40","slug":"celtics-lakers-rivalry-remembering-kobe-bryants-last-game-in-boston","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports7.us\/news\/celtics-lakers-rivalry-remembering-kobe-bryants-last-game-in-boston\/","title":{"rendered":"Celtics-Lakers Rivalry: Remembering Kobe Bryant's Last Game in Boston"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It was December during an unofficial Kobe Bryant<\/a> retirement tour. The Los Angeles Lakers legend said the 2014-15 season would likely be his final year, and the Boston Celtics<\/a> crowd played it up like it would be his last time playing at TD Garden. It was, and it was a special moment in the Celtics-Lakers rivalry.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fans cheered Kobe. They booed him, too. In the end, Kobe won. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kobe Bryant had a double-double in his final game in Boston<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Celtics-Lakers
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers walks towards the bench during a timeout against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 30, 2015, in Boston, Massachusetts. | Maddie Meyer\/Getty Images.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It wasn't your typical Celtics-Lakers rivalry game<\/a> on Dec. 30, 2015. The buzz in the crowd was a lot more intense as something special was about to take place. It was likely Bryant's final game ever played in Boston.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Celtics-Lakers games have always had a special meaning, but this one was different. For Boston fans, it was always about beating LA. This time, however, it was about respecting a legend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lakers entered the game 5-27. There was no real excitement about beating this Lakers team. Seeing Kobe at TD Garden for the final time was the draw. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Celtics fans gave Bryant everything, and it was everything he expected. They booed him because he was a Laker. They cheered when he was introduced for the final time in Boston. Then they chanted his name in the final minutes of LA's 112-104 victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bryant finished with a modest 15 points and 11 rebounds in 33 minutes. It was his first double-double of the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I wish I could do more to show my gratitude to them,” said Bryant after the game, per ESPN.<\/a> “It's a weird feeling walking across center court, looking down at that logo. I tried to cherish it as much as I can.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bryant said Celtics fans made him feel at home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Kobe Bryant's last TD Garden press conference from 2015: He talked about his most memorable moments from the Celtics-Lakers rivalry, memories from playing in Boston and trash-talking with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. pic.twitter.com\/tkHmzUOnae<\/a><\/p>— NESN (@NESN) January 27, 2020<\/a><\/blockquote>