Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
- NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were remembered with tributes in the first LA Lakers game since their deaths.
- They and seven others died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on Sunday.
- The Lakers played their first game sine Bryant’s death on Friday at the Staples Center, against the Portland Trailblazers.
- The Trailblazers won with 127 points to the Lakers’ 119.
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were remembered with a series of tributes at the first Lakers game on Friday since their tragic death, including leaving them empty seats covered with roses.
Bryant, Gianna, and seven other passengers were killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on Sunday.
The Los Angeles Lakers played their first game on Friday since Bryant’s death against the Portland Trailblazers. The Blazers beat the Lakers 127 to 119.
From their memorial courtside seats to 24-second and 8-second violations to honor the NBA icon’s retired numbers, here are the ways the Bryant legacy was honored at the game:
20,000 shirts with Bryant’s jersey number were laid out on the seats of the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
Two courtside seats were reserved for Bryant and Gianna, draped with their jerseys and adorned with a bouquet of roses.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
Bryant’s retired jersey numbers — 8 and 24 — were up in lights for the game.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
The Lakers wore purple warm-ups with Bryant’s jersey.
Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
—Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 1, 2020
Players don’t usually wear warmups onto the court, but made an exception for this game.
Usher sang an emotion-laden rendition of “Amazing Grace” to start off the game.
Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
—ESPN (@espn) February 1, 2020
A tribute video was played to honor Bryant’s legacy.
Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
—ESPN (@espn) February 1, 2020
LeBron James gave a heartfelt eulogy to his “brother” Kobe Bryant.
Harry How/Getty Images
—ESPN (@espn) February 1, 2020
All five starters, still wearing their Bryant-inspired warmups, were announced as “6-6 out of Lower Merion High School…Kobe Bryant.”
Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
—Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 1, 2020
Several team members wrote messages on their shoes for both Kobe and Gigi.
Harry How/Getty Images
—Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 1, 2020
Kobe’s numbers and initials made an appearance on the floor of the court itself.
ESPN/Business Insider
Bryant’s jersey number could be seen in even the most minute details
—Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 1, 2020
—Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 1, 2020
The Lakers took a 24-second violation and the Blazers took an 8-second violation to honor Bryant’s two jersey numbers at the start of the game.
—ESPN (@espn) February 1, 2020
The Lakers coaches all wore Kobe Nike shoes.
ESPN
Singer Charlie Puth and rapper Wiz Khalifa performed “See You Again” during halftime.
—Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 1, 2020
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