LOS ANGELES (AFP) -- Kobe Bryant's latest 50-point outburst saw the Los Angeles Lakers secure a National Basketball Association playoff berth Sunday, thanks to a 109-98 victory over Seattle.

Bryant registered his 10th game of the season with at least 50 points. Not all of those explosive performances have resulted in Lakers victories.

But on Sunday, Bryant was determined to make sure that the slumping Lakers would play beyond the regular season.

The superstar guard connected on 18-of-25 shots, including 3-of-6 from 3-point range, and made 11-of-13 free throws en route to posting his 21st career 50-point outburst.

The Lakers, who improved to 41-40, had lost eight of their last 10 games entering the contest.

The looked as if they would let this one slip away after having a 19-point lead cut to one in the fourth quarter.

The SuperSonics made things interesting when Mike Wilks scored on a driving layup over Smush Parker to close within 87-86 with 7:58 remaining.

However, Bryant, the reigning NBA scoring champion, netted eight points during an impressive 14-3 surge, capped by Lamar Odom's one-handed jam from Luke Walton at the 2:45 mark to create a 101-89 cushion.

In the third quarter, Bryant picked up his 13th technical of the season -- just three shy of receiving an automatic one-game suspension.

The Lakers' Los Angeles rivals the Clippers saw their playoff hopes dimmed as they fell 105-100 to Sacramento.

Meanwhile the Golden State Warriors continued their playff push with a 121-108 victory over Minnesota.

Richardson collected 32 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists and Al Harrington added 18 points for the Warriors, who are now one-half game behind the Lakers and occupying the eighth and final playoff spot -- one game ahead of the ninth-place Clippers.

"We played well tonight and these games aren't always the easiest to coach," Warriors coach Don Nelson said. "It was a great win for us because the Clippers lost. We haven't had the luxury of controlling our own destiny in awhile and that's why we fought so hard and have the record that we do down the stretch. "I am still worried about our last two games because we have to play the best team in basketball and then go on the road on a back-to-back, and we haven't done well in those situations."