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LA Lakers legend Shaquille O'Neal famously gave his then-injured co-star Kobe Bryant a piggyback ride before Game 3 of the 2000 NBA Finals. According to O'Neal, he did so in hopes of helping Bryant suit up for the pivotal contest.
O'Neal and Bryant's Lakers took a 2-0 lead over the Indiana Pacers to begin the 2000 finals. However, LA suffered a setback in Game 2, with Bryant going down with an injury.
After converting a late first-quarter jumper, Bryant landed on then-Pacers wing Jalen Rose's foot, sustaining a left ankle sprain. He exited the contest after only nine minutes and didn't return, jeopardizing his Game 3 status.
Ahead of the crucial road matchup, O'Neal gave Bryant a piggyback ride into Indiana's arena, formerly known as Conseco Fieldhouse. The dynamic duo was pictured smiling and laughing, creating a now-iconic moment.
On "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" Wednesday, show host Jimmy Fallon showed O'Neal the photograph, with the big man providing context.
"So, Kobe twisted his ankle, and Kobe was probably one of the toughest kids I've ever met," O'Neal said. "I knew he was gonna play, but I didn't want him wearing his ankle out.
"He had just had a great game, I had a great game, we were winning, we were up, we were happy. I was like, 'Let me carry you into the arena, get you treatment 'cause I'mma need you to do what you do tonight,'" he continued.
Bryant ultimately sat out Game 3, with the Lakers suffering a 100-91 road loss. However, he triumphantly returned in Game 4, helping LA win two of the next three contests to capture the first championship of its eventual three-peat.
Kobe Bryant carried Lakers to Game 4 2000 NBA Finals victory after Shaquille O'Neal fouled out
Upon Kobe Bryant's Game 4 2000 NBA Finals return, Shaquille O'Neal led the way for most of the contest. However, the superstar center fouled out midway through overtime with LA leading by just one point, leaving it up to Bryant to finish the job.
The then-21-year-old phenom responded by nailing consecutive jump shots and converting a late-game putback to help the Lakers secure a 120-118 road victory.
"This is the game I’ve been dreaming about, to be honest with you," Bryant said postgame. "I dream about it every day."
Bryant finished with 28 points on 51.9% shooting. Meanwhile, O'Neal tallied game-highs of 36 points and 21 rebounds, shooting 52.0% before fouling out.
Following the contest, O'Neal relayed his co-star's reassuring message to him after his disqualification.
"'Don’t worry. I got it,'" O'Neal recounted Bryant saying.
LA's last-second Game 4 win gave it a 3-1 series lead en route to its 4-2 title victory. The championship marked the first of five for Bryant and four for O'Neal, who was traded to the Miami Heat in 2004.
