The eyes of the basketball world will turn to California on Wednesday as the NBA regular season draws to a close with Kobe Bryant preparing to bid farewell to the sport and the Golden State Warriors trying to make history.

A perfectly scripted finale will see Bryant play his 1,566th and final game as the Lakers host the Utah Jazz at the Staples Center for what is certain to be an emotionally charged occasion.

A celebrity-packed capacity crowd of 18,000 will be on hand to salute the last game of the 37-year-old Bryant's two-decade career.