The league's final announcement of the investigation results was as follows.

Because of the conflict between Ariza and Rivers on the court, Rivers said some unknown words that angered Ariza and the entire Pelicans team. After the game, Metta Sandiford-Artest and Stephenson led people to storm the Clippers' locker room.

Finally, security and both teams' coaches arrived to calm the situation, and the Pelicans' players returned to their own locker room.

It was reported that Tang Tian, Davis, Griffin, and Jordan all appeared in the conflict but did not make any moves.

Only Rivers, Metta Sandiford-Artest, and Stephenson were particularly emotional throughout the process.

The league made a punishment based on the investigation results. Rivers, Metta Sandiford-Artest, and Stephenson were each suspended for two games.

This was the league's final ruling, but the Pelicans and Clippers each revealed some details that were favorable to their own side afterward.

The Pelicans said Tang Tian and Davis went to break up the fight, while the Clippers said the entire Pelicans team went to the locker room to start the conflict.

But the purpose of this revelation was to reduce their negative impact on their respective fans, because this could no longer change the league's final ruling.

In fact, because Rivers was also suspended, the Pelicans didn't lose out on this.

After the punishment result came out, Ariza also stated in the locker room that he would pay for the economic losses suffered by his two teammates due to the suspension.

This was already a very good result for the Pelicans.

It could even be said to be a good thing from a certain perspective.

The Pelicans unexpectedly became united in this matter, which would definitely have a positive effect on their subsequent games.

Winning against the Clippers, Ariza getting back in shape, and the relationship between the players becoming closer, the Pelicans won this game very meaningfully.

In the following half month or so, the Pelicans continued to advance triumphantly. Except for losing one game to the Hawks due to rest, they won all the other games.

Including the last game of the season against the Warriors.

With only the last two regular season games left to play, their record reached a terrifying 72 wins and 8 losses.

That is to say, they could at least tie the 72-win record set by the Bulls.

And considering that the last game was against the weak Lakers, and the Spurs would most likely rest their players, breaking the record was a very high probability event.

But even so, their league's first place was not absolute.

The Warriors next door really went all out to fight for this regular season record.

Curry had been playing with injuries, and Green and Thompson were also fighting fiercely.

Except for the game they lost to the Pelicans, they had won all their other games.

Now their record was 70 wins and 9 losses, with 3 games left to play.

If they won all of them, and the Pelicans lost both games, they could surpass the Pelicans to become the league's first.

There were only two or three games left in the regular season, but the highlights were bigger than ever.

Because the Lakers started their schedule early, they also ended it early. The home game against the Pelicans was their last game of the season.

Because the Lakers were definitely unable to make the playoffs, that meant that this game would be Kobe's last dance.

The ticket prices for this game were炒 (chǎo) to infinitely high.

Kobe represented an era, and everyone wanted to witness the farewell performance of the era.

The Staples Center was packed that night, and even the aisles were crowded with a considerable number of fans.

Because it was Kobe's last season, the Lakers' games had become a retirement tour, and the number of viewers was high for every game, but this game had more than ever.

Many Hollywood stars came to the scene, and Lakers owner Jim Buss and general manager Kupchak all came to the scene.

Even O'Neal came to the scene.

Major TV stations had also been in place early to prepare for a global broadcast.

This was an unprecedentedly grand game.

As soon as he arrived at the stadium, Kobe and Tang Tian started chatting. The two talked for a long time.

Sharp-eyed fans noticed that Tang Tian was wearing a jersey, so it seemed he was playing tonight.

The opening ceremony quickly began, and the Pelicans' starting lineup was of great interest.

Because this was Kobe's last battle, the home fans definitely wanted Kobe to have a satisfactory ending.

After all, if they played seriously, the Lakers would not be able to beat the league's first-ranked Pelicans.

On the Pelicans' side, the guards were Dinwiddie and Tang Tian, the forwards were Ariza and Harrell, and the center was Jokic.

Davis and Holiday were in suits and ties for this game and would not play.

When they saw this lineup, the fans on the scene cheered. The Lakers could still compete with this lineup.

Amid the cheers of the fans, Chandler won the jump ball against Jokic, officially kicking off the game.

Kobe went to the frontcourt and held the ball for a post-up.

The Lakers' style of play in this game was the same as what coach Scott had revealed before the game, which was to give the ball to Kobe.

The Pelicans also cooperated very well, not double-teaming, but just letting Ariza single-defend.

Facing his former teammate, Kobe made a series of swaying moves before his signature fadeaway shot.

Ariza didn't let up in his single defense and tried his best to interfere.

"Clang!"

Kobe's first shot missed.

Jokic protected the defensive rebound, and the Pelicans launched a counterattack. Dinwiddie received a wonderful pass from Tang Tian in the center court and made a flying layup to score the first points for the Pelicans.

The Lakers advanced to the frontcourt and still gave the ball to Kobe.

This time, Kobe chose to break through head-on, and then made a sudden stop and fadeaway shot.

Ariza's defense was still very much in place. Kobe was his old senior, and he knew him very well.

"Clang!"

Kobe's second shot was also missed.

It could be seen that the outside attention had put a lot of pressure on Kobe himself.

The Pelicans scored a goal in positional warfare by Jokic, and when they turned around, Kobe's shot still hit the rim and bounced out.

It wasn't until his fourth shot that he finally made a shot after posting up and fading away in the low post.

This goal also drew cheers from the fans on the scene.

Not only had Kobe finally scored, but in his last dance, he continued to perform his signature "four attempts, three misses" for the fans.

However, after scoring this goal, Kobe found his touch, and he continued to make shots, helping the Lakers to stalemate with the Pelicans on the court.

Stevens said that he would not pursue a regular season record, and he really didn't pursue it.

Davis and Holiday didn't play in this game, and although Tang Tian and Jokic played, they didn't play for long.

More of the time on the court was Kobe competing against the Pelicans' substitutes.

Kobe's touch was very good afterward. So far, he had made 20 of 48 shots, 5 of 20 three-pointers, and had already scored 55 points.

However, the Pelicans' overall strength was really strong to be the league's first.

With one minute left to play, they were still leading the Lakers 100 to 96.

In the last minute, the other Lakers players tried their best on the defensive end, continuously defending against the Pelicans' offense.

And Kobe showed his superstar ability, making a fadeaway under the double team and a three-pointer from beyond the arc, scoring five consecutive points, and then reversing the score with 10 seconds left in the game.

After making the three-pointer, Kobe roared excitedly, igniting the Staples Center.

And after the Pelicans called a timeout, he shouted to Tang Tian on the sidelines.

"Get on the court!"