Seven years ago today, one of the most gutsy moments of the great Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant's career happened. On April 12th, while carrying the Lakers for much of the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors, Kobe suffered a career-altering injury and tore his Achilles while driving to the basket.
It all seemed like a simple drive. But Bryant suddenly feel and started grabbing the back of his foot while wincing in pain.
7 YEARS AGO TODAY
Kobe Bryant tore his Achilles, knocked down 2 clutch FTS then walked off the floor in a win over the Warriors.He also hyperextended his knee earlier in the game & was nursing a sprained ankle.
pic.twitter.com/WVlTR4vVlp— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) April 12, 2020
By the looks of it, it seems like Bryant instantly knew that he had suffered a major injury. And it showed in his facial expression as he took two of the most courageous free throws in his basketball career.
As mentioned, Bryant was having a spectacular game leading up to that point. He had scored 10 of his 32 points in the final period prior to the two freebies, leading the Lakers' come back from as much as nine points in the fourth.
Moreover, Bryant also tweaked his knee in the third quarter of that game and was also nursing a sprained ankle, but gutted it out to help the Lakers keep their playoff hopes alive. Los Angeles wound up winning the game and eventually made the playoffs as well. But this game essentially ended their season and likewise, signaled the end of Bryant's career as a superstar.
Nearly every Lakers fan would bring up this game when speaking about Kobe, especially his unbridled determination to shoot the free throws despite the ruptured Achilles. The limp back to the bench is certainly a memory that will stick with Lakers fans' minds forever when they reminisce about the career of one their heroes.
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