Lakers 108, Wizards 104
WASHINGTON -- Guard Kobe Bryant scored a season-high 31 points including the go-ahead jumper with 30.8 seconds remaining as the Los Angeles Lakers snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 108-104 win over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.
Bryant, who announced his retirement Sunday, scored 18 points in the first half and 12 in the fourth quarter for the Lakers (3-15). Displaying vintage moves with pull-up and fadeaway jumpers before a crowd roaring his every move with approval, the 20-year veteran efficiently scored in the first half while leaving enough energy left for the fourth quarter.
After the lead switched sides eight times in the fourth quarter, Bryant drained his fourth 3-pointer for a 101-99 lead. Washington center Marcin Gortat's layup tied the game on the next possession, but Bryant put Los Angeles ahead with a long jumper, his fifth basket of the period.
Guard John Wall had 34 points and 11 assists for the Wizards (7-9). Washington returned home after snapping a season-high four-game losing streaky Tuesday by beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 97-85. Gortat had 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Guard Jordan Clarkson scored 18 for the Lakers. Forward Julius Randle had 15 points and 19 rebounds.
Washington served as the second stop on his farewell tour. For much of this season, it appeared the five-time NBA champion's shooting touch already exited stage right. Bryant entered his lone appearance in Washington shooting 30.1 percent from the field. He finished 10 of 24 against the Wizards including 4 of 11 on 3-pointers.
Playing before a sellout crowd of 20,356 including a large faction of Lakers fans cheering every time he touched the ball, Bryant pushed aside those season-long struggles and turned back the clock.
Wall, who scored 35 points against Cleveland, made four straight free throws to give Washington its final lead.
Washington committed 23 turnovers, which Los Angeles turned into 33 points.
Bryant sank his first two shots, including a 3-pointer. His previous jumper started a surprising 27-8 run that gave Los Angeles a 34-22 after the opening period. The Lakers extended the margin to 19 at 53-34.
Washington finally showed some urgency, closing the quarter with a 17-4 run to enter halftime down 57-51. Wall scored nine points in the third quarter as the Wizards took a brief lead before entering the fourth down 78-75.
NOTES: Lakers G Kobe Bryant first played against Washington on Feb. 2, 1997, in Los Angeles. Harvey Grant played in that game for the Bullets. Grant's son, Jerami, played against Bryant on Tuesday night in the Philadelphia 76ers' 103-91 win. ... Wizards F Nene missed his third straight game with a strained left calf. F Drew Gooden, while closer to returning, remained unavailable with a calf injury. ... The Wizards and Lakers will wrap up their season series on March 27 in Los Angeles. ... Los Angeles faces the Atlanta Hawks on Friday in the third game of its eight-game road trip. Washington plays host to the Phoenix Suns on Friday night.