Kobe Bryant carried the Los Angeles Lakers into the playoffs and left the Clippers and Golden State Warriors to fight it out for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Bryant finished with 50 points on 18-of-25 shooting Sunday night to carry the Lakers to a 109-98 victory over Seattle that clinched a playoff spot for Los Angeles. He scored 50 or more for the 10th time this season, the third-highest total in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain's 45 times with 50 or more in 1961-62, and the center's 30 times the following season.

Bryant has reached the 50-point plateau 21 times in his career.

"We feel much better. We needed this type of win," Bryant said after the Lakers won for just the third time in 11 games.

Bryant said that when the playoffs begin, he may score a lot of points and he may not.

"If the jumper is on, we'll ride it out," he said. "If it's not, we'll have to find another way to win. Our defensive continuity is going to be our biggest challenge."