Lose change: Sixers celebrate first win of the season, honor Kobe

 Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, right, embraces former  76er Julius Erving ahead of a basketball game against the Philadelphia Sixers Tuesday in Philadelphia. Bryant announced his retirement Sunday. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, right, embraces former 76er Julius Erving ahead of a basketball game against the Philadelphia Sixers Tuesday in Philadelphia. Bryant announced his retirement Sunday. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

The Philadelphia 76ers have ended the longest losing streak in the history of major professional sports in the United States, topping the Los Angeles Lakers 103-91 on Tuesday night to snap a 28-game skid.

The Sixers had lost their first 18 games this season, matching the record for worst start in NBA history. They had dropped 28 straight dating to last season, setting the mark for longest losing streak among the four major U.S. sports leagues

The Sixers won for the first time since March 25.

Robert Covington scored 23 points, and Jerami Grant and Nerlens Noel each had 14.

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Lakers star Kobe Bryant scored 20 points on 7-of-26 shooting in the final game of his career in his hometown. He walked off to a standing ovation and chants of “Kobe! Kobe!”

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