Boston Celtics News And Rumors: Kobe Bryant Played His Very Last Game Before Retiring From NBA Court

Kobe Bryant's last game in his 20-year-long career happened to be with LA Lakers' most bitter hardcourt rival, the Boston Celtics.

In his farewell game last Sunday, No. 24 looked ferociously focused, even 'dead serious' for the entire stretch of the game.

"If you guys were watching his body language, watching his facial expressions, he wasn't joking around tonight. He wasn't smiling with other opponents. He wasn't talking a lot," remarked head coach Byron Scott as quoted by ESPN.

The stoic demeanor he displayed throughout the entirety of the game was understandable given the fact that he played his last against the Celtics. Despite his stellar finish of 34 points, the Celtics finally dominated their toughest contender and long-time rival in the league with 107-100 at Staples Center.

To some observers, it may be Bryant's way of honoring a rival's triumph against them as the Boston marches to the playoffs following Lakers' defeat. The audience stood fixated to Bryant even mesmerized after the game ended in Celtics' favor.

"We were part of the history of the rivalry," said Bryant as quoted by Mass Live. He continued saying, "There's no way we could go down in history being remembered as the team that lost twice to the Celtics. With all the history that's gone on, there's no way. There's no way. So above you winning the fifth championship, it was more like not disappointing the memory of this organization. The rivalry that's been there for decades, that was more important to me."

With their Sunday victory over Lakers, Boston Celtics has now inched half-game ahead of other strong Eastern Conference contenders namely Miami and Charlotte.

"That's what you want, to give yourselves a chance, and the only way you get a chance is to make the playoffs. It's been a very focused group," Boston coach Brad Stevens said as mentioned in a report by Boston Herald.