The 2012-13 Los Angeles Lakers boasted Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Steve Nash and Dwight Howard, and many were picking them to have a dominant season and win it all.
However, a massive rash of injuries derailed their season from the start, and by midseason, they were in danger of missing the playoffs.
By early March, the Lakers had a glimmer of hope, but they were still up against it, and they needed every win they could get.
On March 6, they took on the New Orleans Hornets, one of the worst teams in the Western Conference. As it had all year, L.A. got off to a poor start, and it still trailed 93-75 entering the fourth quarter.
But that’s when Bryant turned it on. He scored 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting in the final frame as the Lakers came all the way back for a 108-102 victory.
The Black Mamba finished the contest with 42 points on 14-of-21 from the field, seven rebounds and 12 assists.
For at least one game that rough season, Bryant and the Lakers treated their fans to a gem.
