Los Angeles Lakers: Top 8 Kobe Bryant moments
By Jason Elbaum
7. Buzzer-beater against Phoenix in Game 4 of the first round of the 2006 NBA Playoffs
The Los Angeles Lakers had an uncharacteristically frustrating season in 2005-06 as they were still coping with the team trading Shaquille O’Neal to Miami. The team still managed to make the playoffs as the seventh seed and drew a tough matchup with reigning MVP Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns.
The Lakers were ahead 2-1 in the series when Game 4 began, and the team was down five with just 10 seconds left in regulation. Kobe hit an incredible 3-pointer right in the face of Steve Nash to bring the Lakers within two before point guard Smush Parker stole the inbounds pass and gave it to Kobe, who scored the layup to tie the game and send it to overtime.
The Suns had a one-point lead with seven seconds left in overtime when current Lakers coach Luke Walton tied up Steve Nash for a jump ball. Walton would tap the ball to Kobe and his teammates knew to get out of the way so he could take the final shot.
Despite two defenders contesting his fadeaway shot from the elbow, Bryant swished it at the buzzer to give the Lakers a 3-1 series lead. The images after this basket include the iconic clip of Kobe pulling at the sleeve of his jersey as he celebrates with the Staples Center crowd. The Suns would go on to win the series, but this was arguably Kobe’s most clutch shot as it came in the playoffs at such a big stage.