This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Kobe Bryant's stop here in January had the feeling of a farewell, even if Lakers still had one more trip to Utah on their schedule. But it appears fans in Salt Lake City will indeed get one more chance to watch the superstar guard, as he nears the finish line of his 20-year NBA career.
Despite a nagging finger injury, and after playing 23 minutes in yet another lopsided Lakers loss Sunday night in L.A., Bryant told reporters that he intended to appear in each of the remaining nine games of the regular season, beginning Monday against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Arena.
Will Kobe play all nine games left in his career? "Yes, unless something drastic happens, God forbid."
— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) March 28, 2016
The Jazz expect to see plenty of Lakers jerseys in the crowd tonight, but will try to ignore the fanfare as they try to avoid a letdown against the league's worst defense.
"It's his farewell tour," Jazz forward Gordon Hayward said. "We have to come ready to play though. It's going to be a big, huge game for us as a team. We're trying to make the playoffs, so we can't worry about that."
Bryant has played 58 games against the Jazz in his career, averaging better than 25 points per contest. The Jazz will also face off against Bryant's in the final game of his career, April 13 at Staples Center.
Bryant has played 58 games against the Jazz in his career, averaging better than 25 points per contest. The Jazz will also face off against Bryant's in the final game of his career, April 13 at Staples Center.
— Aaron Falk