Black Mamba's last dance: Kobe Bryant scores SIXTY POINTS to win final game with Los Angeles Lakers after glittering 20-year-career in purple and gold  

Kobe Bryant gave Los Angeles one last night to remember, scoring 60 points on 50 shots in his final game after a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. 

Purple and gold balloons and streamers rained down on the Staples Center as the city said goodbye to Black Mamba after a 101-96 victory against the Utah Jazz. 

'You can't write something better than this,' Kobe said after the game. 'You guys will always be in my heart.' 

'What can I say? Mamba out.'  

Bryant hugged his former teammate Shaquille O'Neal in the final seconds of the game after scoring 23 points in the fourth quarter of his 1,346th game with the Lakers. 

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Kobe Bryant gave Los Angeles one last night to remember, scoring 60 points on 50 shots in his final game after a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center  

Kobe gave his daughter Gianna a kiss after the storybook finish to his career with a 101-96 victory over the Utah Jazz 

Purple and gold streamers rained down on him as Kobe walked off the court for the final time 

Kobe kisses his wife Vanessa after celebrating one last win in his 20-year career 

Kobe and his teammates hug after a surprise victory against the Utah Jazz thanks in part to a Black Mamba 3-pointer 

Kobe hugs Lakers head coach Byron Scott with four seconds left on the clock when it becomes clear a Lakers victory is inevitable

Bryant also walked off the court to hug his former teammate Shaquille O' Neal 

Kobe (pictured right in 1999) announced his plans to retire and hang up his Los Angeles Lakers jersey in November. Wednesday night was his 1,346th NBA game with the Lakers

His final 3-pointer was a storybook finish to a career that had recently been plagued with injury after injury and a game that saw the Lakers trailing behind the Jazz for most of the night. 

But as his teammates continued to feed him the ball, Kobe said all he could do was take on the challenge, seeming to clinch victory for his team after one final 3-pointer that was followed by a dunk from Jordan Clarkson. 

The NBA's third highest all-time scorer with five championship rings ended his career with one final mark in the history books - the player to score the most points in his last game. 

He also recorded the season-high for all players in the 2015-16 season. 

'Man, I can't believe how fast 20 years went by,' Kobe told the crowd at the end of the game. 

'It's crazy, absolutely crazy to be standing here on the same court with you guys, with my teammates behind me.'

'I appreciate the journey we have been on, there have been a few ups and downs but the most important part is that we all stayed together throughout.'

'All I can do here is thank you guys for all the years of support, all the years of inspiration. This has been unbelievable. I can't believe it has come to an end,' he said, before gold and purple confetti descended from the ceiling.

Kobe took time out after the game to catch up with Kanye West. The rapper took to Twitter yesterday evening, posting a picture of his ticket with the caption, 'At the God's last game'

An emotional Kobe saluted his fans after the game. The last thing he told them was: 'What can I say? Mamba out' 

'Man, I can't believe how fast 20 years went by,' Kobe told the crowd at the end of the game. 'It's crazy, absolutely crazy to be standing here on the same court with you guys, with my teammates behind me'

Former teammates of Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant listen as Black Mamba addresses the crowd for a post-game speech 

Kobe hugs former teammate Lamar Odom after his final basketball game 

Odom was just one of many former teammates who came out to watch Kobe play one last time 

Kobe announced his plans to retire from the Lakers nearly six months ago, but that didn't make it any easier for fans to say goodbye when the time came for his final game.

Thousands packed shoulder-to-shoulder into the plaza outside Staples Center hours before the jump ball. Most didn't even have tickets to the game. 

But it was enough to be near the legend who had led their team for the last two decades. 

Before the game began, Magic Johnson pumped up the crowd with a rousing speech in which he called Bryant 'the biggest and greatest celebrity we've had in this town for 20 years'. 

'We are here to celebrate greatness,' Johnson, like Bryant a five-time NBA champion, told the sellout crowd. 'For 20 years, excellence. For 20 years, Kobe Bryant has never cheated the game, he has never cheated us as fans.

'He has played through injury, he has played hurt and we have five championships banners to show for it.'

Huge roars then rang out as the Lakers fans gave Bryant thunderous approval.

'He is not only a great sport icon but also the greatest to wear the purple and gold,' Johnson continued. 

'So right now we should put our hands together for the late great (former Lakers owner) Jerry Buss for trading for this man.'

Another video tribute to Bryant was then played on the Jumbotron suspended from the rafters at Staples Center, ending with the words 'Congratulations on 20 years in the Purple and Gold' emblazoned on the screen. 

Individual video tributes from former team mates and opponents such as LeBron James, Pau Gasol, Stephen Curry, Dirk Nowitzki and Carmelo Anthony were played and Kobe's former coach Phil Jackson called him the 'ambassador of basketball'.

Notorious Lakers fan Jack Nicholson joked he might retire along with Bryant.   

Kobe scored 22 points in the first-half of his finale game, including the 10,000th free throw of his regular-season career

Kobe has won five championship rings, appeared in 17 All-Star games and has the second best scoring game of any NBA player

When Kobe met Kanye: The rapper tweeted a picture of a t-shirt featuring the slogan, 'I feel like Kobe' yesterday evening 

Before his final game, Kobe said the best last game would be a 'very competitive one' and a 'physical one' 

Kobe said it meant 'everything' that he got the chance to finish his career on his home court 

'You've been an inspiration to us all,' he concluded. 'LA loves you.'   

When the video ended, Bryant embraced Johnson, then saluted the crowd with claps and a wave. 

At that point, further chants of 'Kobe, Kobe, Kobe' rang out from the crowd as Johnson walked across to embrace Bryant and share a few private words.

Black Mamba then walked out to center court, applauding the fans with his hands raised high, then lifted his right arm in tribute before blowing kisses to the crowd.

Kobe then returned to the bench, gave trainer Gary Vitti — also retiring — a huge hug, then wrapped his arms around coach Byron Scott before returning to the court to resume warming up for the game some fans had paid thousands of dollars to attend. 

Demand for Wednesday night seats were sky high, with tickets being sold on secondary markets for prices anywhere from $700 to $10,000.   

According to Stubhub, owned by eBay and the largest online ticket resale site in the United States, the most expensive seat sold for Wednesday's game went for $27,500.

And while Kobe was the biggest star of the night there were plenty of celebrity fans packing the stands - including Jay Z, Kanye West and Snoop Dogg. 

Although the night ended in victory it started off slow for Kobe - who missed his first five shots.

But Black Mamba was soon on fire. He scored 37 points through the first three-quarters of the game, including the 10,000th free throw of his regular-season career. 

It was just one more milestone to add to his record books, as Kobe is the first non-post player to shoot that many. 

Kobe will also be the only player in the NBA to have ever spent 20 seasons with the same team. 

'It means everything to finish at home,' Kobe said earlier this week.  

Wednesday was declared 'Mamba Day' as both Lakers and basketball fans alike recognized Kobe's place in basketball history 

Kobe was all smiles as a tribute video played featuring longtime opponents, teammates, coaches and even celebrities 

Kobe (pictured here with former Lakers player James Worthy) said he always dreamed of wearing purple and gold 

'I grew up a die-hard Laker fan, so it's like a dream come true for a kid to grow up and play for his favorite team, and play here for 20 years, his entire career,' he added. 

'I've seen the city grow. I've seen the city develop, and vice versa. There's no place I'd rather end my career.'

Drafted out of high school at the age of 17, Kobe recalled watching the same faces in the crowd grow older - turning from kids to bringing their own kids.

This last season hasn't been an easy one. Kobe's career will end with the worst team in Lakers history thanks to a 16-65 record. 

But the legend said the fact that the team won't be playing for a championship has actually made it easier for his to enjoy his farewell tour.  

'I've allowed myself to take the blinders off and enjoy the fans, enjoy the crowd,' he said. 

'Laugh a little bit more. Engage a little bit more.'

Indeed, the Lakers' recent games effectively have been tribute evenings for Bryant, with opponents shaking his hand and lining up for turns to guard a player who profoundly inspired most of the current NBA.

'It is hard to be great for that long,' said Miami's Dwyane Wade, his US Olympic teammate. 

Stars collide: Kanye West greeted Kobe before the start of the game

In the audience: Brooklyn Beckham attended the game at the Staples Center along with his father David

Courtside seats: The Weeknd and model girlfriend Bella Hadid sat courtside to watch Kobe in action

Lamar Odom was spotted sitting with Kanye during the game (left) as Jack Nicholson and his son Ray enjoyed it from from the Oscar winner's courtside seats (right)

Three in a row: Shaquille O'Neal who won three championships with Kobe on the Lakers cheered on his former teammate

Hova: Jay-Z sitting courtside at Wednesday night's game with friends

Celebs galore: A pregnant Behati Prinsloo drapes her leg over husband Adam Levine

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Getting in on the fun: Gigi Hadid's sister Bella sat courtside but she was not able to attend, so she posted a photo instead from an old birthday

Big names: Jimmy Iovine and his son chat with Kanye West (left); ScHoolboy Q and Kendrick Lamar cheer for Kobe (right)

Funny friends: Arsenio Hall and George Lopez attend a basketball game between the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Laker

Hunger games: Josh Hutcherson attends a basketball game between the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Lakers

Fantastic voyage: Snoop Dogg posted numerous pics from Kobe's last game to his Instagram account

Wouldn't miss it: Jeremy Piven arrives to the Lakers game on Wednesday night in Los Angeles

'He has been great for maybe 19 out of 20 years. To do it at that level for so many years, with guys coming after you, I have a tremendous amount of respect for that.' 

'He's had a lot of injuries along the way, and he just came back stronger and stronger.' 

When Bryant was asked to name his greatest basketball accomplishment Monday, he didn't cite his five championship rings. 

Instead, he chose his ability to find the motivation to return from three consecutive season-ending injuries from 2013-15.

And on his final night, the only thing Kobe wanted was a tough game.   

'For me, it's coming out in front of the fans and competing hard, and playing against Utah and them not taking it easy at all,' he said.

'To me, that is the greatest form of competition. That's the best last game to have. A very competitive one. A physical one. That's the way basketball should be.' 

Kobe said in November that this last season was all 'I have left to give', in an open letter to the sport he posted on The Players Tribune.

'I can't love you obsessively for much longer,' Bryant said in the letter titled 'Dear Basketball'.

'My heart can take the pounding, my mind can handle the grind, but my body knows it's time to say goodbye.'

In his essay, Bryant talked about being a boy who would use his father's rolled-up socks to shoot imaginary game-winning shots at the Great Western Forum, where the Lakers played from 1967 to 1999.

Family: Bryant waves to a few people that were still in the arena as he stands on the court with his daughters Natalia, center, and Gianna

Wife: Bryant kisses his wife Vanessa as they stand on the court after an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz

Cute: Kobe Bryant, right, fist-bumps his daughter Gianna (left) after the last NBA basketball game of his career

Tender moment: After Kobe Bryant gave Los Angeles one last night to remember, he celebrated by kissing his wife Vanessa 

Time to go: Bryant addresses the media during the post game news conference after scoring 60 point in his final NBA game at Staples Center

Pointing the finger: Bryant finished his NBA career with a strong performance on Wednesday night

Robo Kobe: Gift bags for the fans who are sitting courtside are seen at Staples Center at the final game of Kobe Bryant's career

Kobe's number: A detail view of the NIKE shoes worn by Jordan Clarkson of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half against the Utah Jazz with Bryant's NBA number

Fans arrived hours before the jump ball was thrown at the Staples Center to celebrate Black Mamba 

Many fans didn't even have tickets to the game, and merely wanted to celebrate the man who had been their hero for so long 

Bryant said it was those early moments where he fell in love with basketball.

'A love so deep I gave you my all,' he writes. 'From my mind and body, to my spirit and soul.'

Bryant then revealed how he gave basketball his heart because 'that's what you do, when someone makes you feel as alive as you've made me feel.

'I ran up and down every court after every loose ball for you,' he writes. 'You asked for my hustle, I gave you my heart. Because it came with so much more.'

'I played through the sweat and hurt. Not because challenge called me, but because you called me.'

'I did everything for you.'

He then thanked basketball for giving that six-year-old boy who used to shoot socks his 'Laker dream' before promising the sport he would always love it. 'I'm ready to let you go,' wrote Bryant.

'I want you to know now,' he then says, as if almost speaking to his fans. 'So we both can savor every moment we have left together. The good and the bad.'

'We have given each other all that we have.'

Bryant was drafted out of high school with the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets but was traded shortly after to the Lakers. 

He has appeared in 17 All-Star games, was named the Most Valuable Player for the 2007-08 regular season and landed MVP honors in the 2009 and 2010 Finals when he led the Lakers to consecutive championships. 

Celebration: Bryant was greeted with champagne as he entered the locker room at the end of the game

Celebration: Bryant was greeted with champagne as he entered the locker room at the end of the game

Celebration: Bryant was greeted with champagne as he entered the locker room at the end of the game

Celebration: Bryant was greeted with champagne as he entered the locker room at the end of the game

Workers wrap Staples Center in a giant banner congratulating Kobe Bryant before his last NBA basketball game

A fan signs a large banner congratulating Kobe outside Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday