Gordon Hayward has denied a circulating anecdote that the then-Utah Jazz forward attempted to purposely commit a lane violation in Kobe Bryant's career finale in 2016 in order to help the late Los Angeles Lakers icon score his 60th point.
"He got 60 on me and I didn't give him anything free all night. What happened on the free-throw line was not intentional. Kobe would have lost respect for me if I gave him something free. That's what made him so very special!" Hayward said in a series of tweets Monday reacting to Bryant's sudden death.
The past day has been incredibly heartbreaking for me. Kobe is someone that I looked up to and admired and developed a personal relationship with. I have struggled so much with trying to understand the devastating news and like many others I’m still trying to process it.
— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) January 28, 2020
It has also come to my attention that there is a story going around tonight about an intentional lane violation that I took to ensure Kobe would get his 60th point in his final game and many are applauding me for the gesture. The fact of the matter is that is not true.
— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) January 28, 2020
He got 60 on me and I didn't give him anything free all night. What happened on the free throw line was not intentional. Kobe would have lost respect for me if I gave him something free. That’s what made him so very special!
— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) January 28, 2020
That was a night that I will truly never forget as I can remember almost every moment of it and my goal that night was to compete as hard as I possibly could against Kobe because that is what he was all about and I wanted to give him my very best.
— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) January 28, 2020
Rest In Peace Kobe. I’m so honored to have shared our time on and off the court together!
— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) January 28, 2020
The story first began to go viral Monday after it was recounted by NBC Sports broadcaster Mike Tirico on The Ringer's Ryen Russillo Podcast. With Bryant at the line and sitting at 59 points, Tirico believed Hayward intentionally stepped into the lane in order to give Bryant another opportunity to get to 60 if he missed his second free throw.
There’s a moment from Kobe’s final game that few people saw and nobody really remembers … but @miketirico won’t ever forget it. pic.twitter.com/prJGObG58y
— The Ringer (@ringer) January 28, 2020
However, Bryant made the shot. Shortly after, he was removed from the game with seconds left in order to receive a lengthy, standing ovation. The Lakers won 101-96.
After Hayward refuted the story, Tirico thanked him for the clarification and explained he hadn't spoken with the now-Boston Celtics star since that game.
Please check out this thread from @gordonhayward, so glad he clarified what I had always assumed was intentional that night. Our paths have never crossed since that night. Thank you @espn for reairing Kobe’s final game. Still all so hard to believe. https://t.co/iWRzjIaTPl
— MikeTirico (@miketirico) January 28, 2020
Bryant played the last game of his NBA career on April 13, 2016. ESPN reaired the contest Monday as a tribute to Bryant following his death in a helicopter crash the day prior. The accident also claimed the lives of eight other people, including Bryant's 13-year-old daughter, Gianna.
