5 Greatest Kobe vs. LeBron Moments
5. Welcome Back, Kobe (2015)
After almost a year and a half hiatus due to Bryant’s season-ending injuries in 2013 and 2014, the Kobe-LeBron matchup was renewed in January 2015 when the Lakers met the Cavs in Cleveland.
However, unlike previous meetings, the game saw laughter and friendly banter between the two former rivals. Kobe even chided his successor about his veteran aches and pains.
This was a stark contrast from the staunch competitiveness the two displayed at the peak of the rivalry.
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Despite the pair’s friendly behavior throughout the contest, their demeanors quickly changed in the final minutes of a close game.
The two went head-to-head in the last two minutes of the game, with Bryant hitting a three pointer and two free throws with 43 seconds left to bring the Lakers within four before James blew by his predecessor for the game-sealing layup with 20.9 seconds left in the game.
Bryant finished with 19 points and a career-high 17 assists while James posted 36 points and led the Cavs to a 109-102 win.
Next: No. 4