NBA Calls Off Lakers-Clippers Game as World Mourns Kobe Bryant

The basketball world lost an icon.

Following the tragic death of basketball legend Kobe Bryant and eight others yesterday, the NBA has decided to postpone today’s planned match-up between the Los Angeles Lakers and L.A. Clippers.

The Lakers—with whom Bryant spent his entire 20-season career—and Clippers were set to face-off at the Staples Center in Los Angeles just one night after the helicopter crash that claimed the icon’s life.

But given the state of mourning the city of Los Angeles is in, and particularly for those within the Lakers organisation, the NBA stepped in to delay the game, saying in a statement it will be "rescheduled at a later date".

The following has been released by the NBA pic.twitter.com/NgrEP2qpDi

— NBA (@NBA) January 27, 2020

Tributes have been flooding in for Bryant, as well as for his 13-year-old daughter Gianna who was also on the downed helicopter. Fans have flocked to the Staples Center, where last night's Grammys were held, to honour the icon they called 'Mamba'. Many teams that played yesterday opted to pay tribute with opening moments of silence, as well as eight and twenty-four second violations (in honour of Bryant’s retired jersey numbers).

Players such as Trae Young, Devin Booker, Tyson Chandler and more were visibly emotional during their games.

Tyson Chandler clearly heartbroken. Not sure how these players are able to focus on the game. #Rockets pic.twitter.com/QlO0ByjsEI

— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) January 26, 2020

Trae Young embraces with his Mom and wipes away tears after pre-game warmups. #Hawks #TrueToAtlanta #11Alive @11AliveSports pic.twitter.com/6tXToNrpda

— Maria Martin (@Ria_Martin) January 26, 2020

Trae Young and Devin Booker both took 24 shot attempts tonight.

Devin Booker made 11, Trae Young made 13... equaling 24 made shots.

Devin Booker scored 36 points, and Trae Young scored 45... equaling 81 points.

Unbelievable. #RIPKobe pic.twitter.com/deGVBRlFUc

— Big Blue Nation (@BigBlue9ation) January 27, 2020

The Lakers, however, only released their first public statement on Bryant’s death this morning, saying, "This is a very difficult time for us all."

The Lakers issue their first public statement after the death of Kobe Bryant pic.twitter.com/B5rat527yG

— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) January 27, 2020

Kobe Bryant has been a part of the Lakers for 20 years. Most employees knew him well and are grieving. It was a lot to ask to come in for an event of this magnitude while things were so raw.

— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) January 27, 2020

LeBron James is yet to make a public statement, though he and his teammates were seen in an emotional embrace after disembarking from the team plane yesterday. On Saturday, he had passed Bryant as the third all-time scorer in the league. Bryant’s final Tweet was in fact directed at James.

Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother 💪🏾 #33644

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 26, 2020

Shams Charania from The Athletic reported that Bryant and James spoke late on Saturday night, with several teammates listening in to the call.

One final conversation: LeBron James and Kobe Bryant had phone call late Saturday night after James passed Bryant on the NBA scoring charts, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. Several Lakers players listened into call -- in what would be their final memory of Bryant's voice.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 27, 2020

The remaining identities of those who died in the crash are yet to be confirmed by authorities.

Update: Shortly after this article was published, LeBron James posted a letter to Kobe on Instagram.

Header Image: David McNew / Stringer via Getty Images News