Sun, May 23, 1999
INGLEWOOD (SCN
Sunday, May 23, 1999) –
The Los Angeles Lakers’
tumultuous season
mercifully came to an end
on Sunday, as the San Antonio Spurs completed their
four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers with a
118-107 thrashing at the Great Western Forum.

Kobe Bryant tried to keep the Lakers from elimination,
scoring 16 points, but one could see that he and his
teammates had nothing left to give.

Los Angeles fell behind early against the Spurs and never
led throughout as San Antonio dominated the Lakers by
beating them at their own game – running. Kobe tried to
keep his team in the game with eight first half points, but
nothing was going to help on this day, as they trailed
65-51 at the break.

Los Angeles showed a little heart in the third quarter,
pulling within two at 86-84, but then fell apart again in the
final period, getting run over by San Antonio’s 32 fourth
quarter points. Kobe dropped in just one three-pointer
during the final 12 minutes, finishing off a promising
season on a sour note.