“We choked just flat out choked” – Nick Van Exel on allowing Kobe Bryant to lead Lakers to a 27-point fourth-quarter comeback originally appeared on Basketball Network.
When Nick Van Exel faced the media after a stunning 105–103 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, he didn’t hide behind clichés. His Dallas Mavericks had just surrendered a 27-point lead in the fourth quarter, collapsing against a surging Lakers team led by Kobe Bryant in one of the most improbable comebacks in the NBA’s history.
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“We choked, just flat-out choked,” the Mavs guard said. “They played like the world champs and we played scared, we played tentative and we just choked.”
That 27-point fourth-quarter comeback is the second-highest in NBA history to date. At number one are the Milwaukee Bucks, who came back down 28 in the fourth quarter to beat the Atlanta Hawks on November 25th, 1977.
The comeback
What made this moment unforgettable wasn’t just the size of the lead — it was how quickly and completely it vanished.
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For three quarters, Dallas had dominated. Dirk Nowitzki was killing the Lakers with midrange jumpers, Van Exel was facilitating with precision and Steve Nash was orchestrating one of the league’s most efficient offenses. The Mavericks led by 27 points heading into the final quarter.
But the final period belonged to Bryant. And like so many greats before him, he wasn’t going to let the significant lead dictate the outcome.
“It’s nice to have a team believe that they have the ability to overcome insurmountable odds, and it certainly looked insurmountable,” said Lakers coach at the time, Phil Jackson.
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Kobe went off for 21 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter, completely changing the tone of the game. He hit contested threes, forced turnovers and willed his team back from the loss. With help from Shaquille O’Neal and key role players like Derek Fisher and Rick Fox, the Lakers outscored the Mavericks 44-15 in the final period.
Comeback Kings
In doing so, Kobe etched his name alongside the likes of Michael Jordan, Tracy McGrady and Reggie Miller — players who never believed a game was over until the final buzzer sounded.
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Jordan’s 1997 comeback against the New York Knicks, where the Bulls overcame an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter, was legendary. So was Miller’s miraculous eight points in nine seconds against the Knicks in 1995, but McGrady’s 13 points in 33 seconds after being down eight with 35 seconds left against the San Antonio Spurs tops the list.
Bryant’s performance against the Mavericks didn’t happen in the playoffs, but it had that same energy — overflowing confidence, determined pressure and mental dominance.
Meanwhile, Dallas looked like a team paralyzed by the moment. Their offense became motionless. Players passed up shots. Defenders sagged off. They weren’t just missing shots — they were hoping the clock would save them, but it didn’t.
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Basketball history is filled with blown leads, but the greatness on the other side is the biggest reason for the collapses. The Mavs didn’t just give the game away — they had it taken from them by a player who defied all odds with his mentality.
Bryant’s fourth-quarter takeover wasn’t just about points — it was about poise, belief and the refusal to surrender. That’s what connects him to Miller, McGrady and Jordan. It’s a mindset. The greatest comebacks happen when elite players treat pressure like fuel.
Van Exel’s quote became the headline, but it’s Bryant’s fire that became the legend. Because when you’re playing against one of the greatest ever, being up 27 in the fourth quarter might not be enough to secure the win.
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This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 18, 2025, where it first appeared.