The National Basketball Association announced that the Los Angeles Lakers’s first game following the death of league legend Kobe Bryant would be postponed.
The Lakers were supposed to take on their rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers, on Tuesday night, two days after Bryant, 41, and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. The other seven people onboard also died in the Sunday crash.
“The National Basketball Association game between the Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 28 at Staples Center has been postponed,” the league said in a press release. “The decision was made out of respect for the Lakers organization, which is deeply grieving the tragic loss of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and the seven other people in a helicopter crash on Sunday. The game will be rescheduled at a later date.”
Bryant spent his entire 20-year career playing for the Lakers. He led the team to five championships, bringing home the Finals MVP award twice while being selected for the all-star game 18 times. The former Lower Merion High School graduate finished his career in third place for total points scored. Current Laker great LeBron James surpassed Bryant for the third all-time on Saturday.
Bryant’s last tweet before his death was congratulating James for passing his record.
Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother ?? #33644
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 26, 2020
