5 Kobe Bryant games that signified his mamba mentality

#3 Kobe Bryant's game-winner against Phoenix Suns in 2006 NBA Playoffs

Bryant exults after scoring the winner

Kobe Bryant brought out his best in the playoffs and this game-winner against the Phoenix Suns in 2006 was arguably his most clutch play ever. First, the LA Lakers converted defense into offense to force a steal and tie the game at 90 apiece in the fourth quarter. Bryant scored the floater that sent the game into overtime.

The Suns held a 98-97 advantage in the extra period with just 6.1 seconds left on the clock. The Purple and Gold won a jump ball and Bryant took control of the possession. He dribbled the ball up the court and drained a jumper from 18 feet out to seal the deal for his side.

The shot was well contested by Phoenix's Raja Bell and Boris Diaw but the Black Mamba still had his way. This gave the LA Lakers a 3-1 lead against the Phoenix Suns but they would eventually need seven games to win the series.

#4 Kobe Bryant's Game 7 heroics in the 2010 NBA Finals

NBA Finals Game 7: Boston Celtics v Los Angeles Lakers

Despite being laden with injuries, the LA Lakers set aside a slow start to the postseason and eventually found their way to the 2010 NBA Finals. They battled the Boston Celtics there and the series went all the way to the seventh game.

Kobe Bryant wasn't at his best physically as he dealt with an injured index finger and sore right knee. That didn't prevent him from taking over proceedings when it mattered the most. In a game where offense was hard to come by, Bryant recorded 10 fourth-quarter points to hand the LA Lakers an 83-79 win.

The Lakers outlasted Boston for Kobe's 5th championship 🏆Celtics vs. Lakers, 2010 NBA Finals Game 7 - Pop Up Edition - 9pm ET on NBA TV! pic.twitter.com/NYhiTWIWrW

— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 3, 2020

Bryant himself wasn't too efficient on the night and went just 6-of-24 from the field for his 23 points. However, it was his utmost will to win that saw him head to the free-throw line regularly. He played impeccable defense and attacked the glass to grab 15 rebounds.

#5 Kobe Bryant scores 60 in his final NBA game

Mamba out

Playing the final game of your career in front of celebrities and some of the greatest legends in NBA history can be intimidating for som, but not for Kobe Bryant. The Black Mamba saw his mamba mentality come through one last time as he led the struggling LA Lakers to a win over the Utah Jazz.

Bryant wasn't making his shots early on but he just didn't care. He kept pulling up from mid-range and eventually the points started to rack up. He played like no one was watching when the entire world was.

One of the greatest endings to a career that you could possibly have belongs to Kobe Bryant. A 60-piece. What a night that was nearly 5 years ago. RIP. pic.twitter.com/d83lxeHDKy

— Colin Deaver (@ColinDeaverTV) January 26, 2021

Kobe Bryant burst out for 23 points in the final quarter as the Purple and Gold overcame a huge deficit to win the game 101-96. It took him 50 attempts, but the way in which Kobe brought up his 60 points embodied his career's mantra – keep putting in the hard work, and the results will follow.

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