Los Angeles Lakers

'Let them go': Kobe sits so Lakers' kids can take the clutch shots

Published Dec. 9, 2015 11:49 p.m. ET

foxsports

For those wanting Kobe Bryant to step aside and let the Lakers’ core of young players get a chance to prove what they can do — even get a chance at a clutch shot in a close game — the Black Mamba delivered on Wednesday night.

And his teammates nearly did, too.

With Los Angeles and the host Minnesota Timberwolves locked in a back-and-forth affair coming down to the closing seconds, the soon-to-be-retired future Hall of Famer who made a living taking the game’s final shot was right there with his teammates. The ones on the bench.

Bryant checked out for the last time with 3:56 remaining in the third quarter, having tallied 11 points to go with a single rebound and single assist.

Instead, Lakers coach Byron Scott turned to the likes of rookie point guard D'Angelo Russell and second-year forward Julius Randle in the clutch. And Russell rewarded that faith in regulation, nailing a tough layup in the closing seconds of the fourth to force overtime.

The Lakers came up short in the end, losing 123-122, but the success of their closing lineup was that sign of progress Los Angeles has been looking for.

"They were playing with good energy and great momentum," Bryant said of Russell and Randle. "Just let 'em go."

Russell scored nine of the Lakers' final 11 points in regulation, including a runner with 2.2 seconds to play to force overtime.

"I mean, that's an honor for him to say something like that knowing that he could have easily told Coach he wants that shot just to add to his collection," Russell said of Bryant. "He probably would have made it."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.