Hayward Calls Kobe's 60-Point Finale 'Not Legitimate'

Former Jazz player says Bryant's last game was different from Adebayo's 83-point performance.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 6:49pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Former NBA player Gordon Hayward has provided some context around Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant's 60-point performance in the final game of his career, calling it "not a legitimate game." Hayward, who was on the opposing Utah Jazz team that night, said both teams were out of playoff contention and Bryant took around 50 shots, making the game "different than any game I've ever been a part of." However, Hayward did acknowledge that Bryant's final few minutes were "legendary."

Why it matters

Hayward's comments provide an interesting perspective on one of the most iconic moments in NBA history - Kobe Bryant's 60-point career finale. While Bryant's performance was undoubtedly impressive, Hayward's remarks raise questions about the context and circumstances surrounding the game, and whether it should be viewed in the same light as other high-scoring records, such as Bam Adebayo's recent 83-point outburst.

The details

In Kobe Bryant's final NBA game in 2016, he scored 60 points against the Utah Jazz. Gordon Hayward, who was playing for the Jazz that night, recently spoke about the game, saying it was "different than any game I've ever been a part of." Hayward noted that Bryant took around 50 shots in the game, and both teams were out of playoff contention, suggesting the game was not a "legitimate" contest. However, Hayward did acknowledge that Bryant's final few minutes were "legendary."

  • Kobe Bryant played his final NBA game on April 13, 2016.

The players

Kobe Bryant

A legendary NBA player who spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning 5 championships. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history.

Gordon Hayward

A former NBA player who spent the majority of his career with the Utah Jazz. He was on the opposing team when Kobe Bryant scored 60 points in his final NBA game.

Bam Adebayo

A current NBA player for the Miami Heat who recently set the record for the highest-scoring game in the league's history with 83 points against the Washington Wizards.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“That game was different than any game I've ever been a part of... he took 50 shots I think, something like that, so that one was also, like, not a legitimate game. Both teams were out. We knew we weren't making the playoffs, they knew they weren't making the playoffs.”

— Gordon Hayward, Former NBA Player

“Certainly, we weren't just letting him score... his last three minutes were completely different than the last three minutes of the Miami game. His last three minutes in that game were legendary. It was like the old Kobe for three minutes.”

— Gordon Hayward, Former NBA Player

The takeaway

Hayward's comments provide an interesting perspective on one of the most iconic moments in NBA history, raising questions about the context and circumstances surrounding Kobe Bryant's 60-point career finale. While Bryant's performance was undoubtedly impressive, Hayward's remarks suggest that the game may not have been a "legitimate" contest, given the teams' playoff standings and Bryant's high volume of shot attempts. This adds nuance to the discussion around high-scoring records in the NBA and how they should be evaluated.