2010 Game 7 Revenge: Kobe Claims His Fifth Ring
The 2010 NBA Finals was a classic showdown — the Los Angeles Lakers met their archrivals, the Boston Celtics, for the first time in seven years. The Lakers were defending champions, but Boston pushed them to the brink, leading the series 3-2.
Back in Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant powered a 89-67 rout in Game 6 to force a decisive Game 7. At the STAPLES Center, Kobe shot just 6-of-24 and looked cold from the field — yet he compensated with defense and grit, grabbing 15 rebounds and hitting key baskets late. The Lakers survived 83-79 and completed their revenge.
Kobe averaged 28.6 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists in the series, earning Finals MVP unanimously. It was his fifth championship, avenging the painful 2008 loss to Boston and cementing a back-to-back title run.
From the bitterness of 2008 to the joy of 2010, Kobe proved with two straight rings that the Lakers dynasty was still commanded by the Black Mamba.
