The Los Angeles Lakers are set to play a game for the first time since Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others died in a helicopter accident on Sunday. The Lakers' scheduled game against the Clippers on Tuesday night was postponed in the aftermath of the tragedy.
The Lakers will hold a pregame ceremony for Bryant before tipoff against the Portland Trail Blazers (10 p.m. ET on ESPN) and will continue to honor him throughout the game. We'll have live updates throughout the day and night from both inside Staples Center and the scene around the building as the basketball world mourns the Lakers legend.
Ramona Shelburne: How the Lakers made it to this game
Remembering Kobe: Tonight on ESPN
5 p.m. ET: SportsCenter (coverage from Staples Center)
7 p.m. ET: NBA Countdown (live from Staples Center)
7:30 p.m. ET: Mavericks at Rockets
9:30 p.m. ET: Hoop Streams (available on Twitter, YouTube and the ESPN app)
10 p.m. ET: Trail Blazers at Lakers (Pregame ceremony from Staples Center)
Perkins, Pierce rank Kobe among all-time greats
Paul Pierce proclaims that Kobe Bryant makes his list of top ten NBA players all-time while Kendrick Perkins ranks him in his top five.
"Every day can be a chance to lift yourself, just a little bit higher, make yourself just a little bit better. That was the Mamba Mentality."@michaelb4jordan sums up the emotions of the past few days. pic.twitter.com/xlpM6HdGVS
— ESPN (@espn) January 31, 2020
MORE: Kobe Bryant remembrances and reaction
Tributes from inside Staples Center
When fans arrive at Staples Center later tonight, they'll find these shirts on their seats.
The Lakers also made sure Kobe's name and number will be ever present inside the arena.
The House That Kobe Built pic.twitter.com/1exfvaXnE8
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 31, 2020
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 31, 2020
2 ♾ 8 pic.twitter.com/DeKsRqcTry
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 31, 2020
L.A. Live asks fans without tickets to watch from home
Thousands have visited the area outside Staples Center in recent days, but fans without tickets are being asked to watch tonight's game from home.
Plus -- details on what will happen to all the flowers, letters, jerseys and more left outside the arena:https://t.co/eklKY8MqyJ pic.twitter.com/aXv5wbNKHk
— Baxter Holmes (@Baxter) January 31, 2020
Dear Kobe...
Before the Lakers play tonight, an open thread for fans from all over the globe to share a message or memory ?
Dear Kobe, ⬇️
— ESPN (@espn) January 31, 2020
You taught me to be obsessed with improving my game mentally physically and spiritually; love and focus on the work and not the result. That the climb to greatness is a never ending process even when you are at the top. #MambaMentality is more than a mindset... it's a lifestyle.
— Justin Reid (@jreid_viii) January 31, 2020
Thank you for inspiring me to go harder !
— Nick Tanielu (@TanieluN) January 31, 2020
I met Kobe in CHI at the Hilton during breakfast in the Summer of 1999. He was with his wife. He was approached repeatedly and didn't deny any pics or autographs. I didn't want to disturb him so I waited until he was walking out. He stopped for me too. ?
— ™️Marcus (@TheMisterMarcus) January 31, 2020
Lakers pay homage to Kobe on feet
Frank Vogel says the Lakers coaching staff will all wear Kobe Bryant's signature sneakers on the bench tonight.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 31, 2020
LeBron James wore an unreleased pair of Kobe's signature Nike sneakers to shootaround Friday. They're called the "Big Stage/Parades" and are inspired by the Kobe 5s that Bryant wore in the 2010 Finals and subsequent championship parade. (h/t @NickDePaula) pic.twitter.com/weqYzaa3o4
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 31, 2020
Carmelo to sit out Friday night
Carmelo Anthony played in Portland's game Wednesday night, but will sit out Friday's game against the Lakers.
Trail Blazers forward Carmelo Anthony will not play against the Lakers tonight for personal reasons, the team announced. pic.twitter.com/7d2zsiKEwY
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 31, 2020
For Kobe & Gigi pic.twitter.com/yD8iY4Z5qI
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) January 31, 2020
NBA announces All-Star tributes
The 2020 NBA All-Star game will pay tribute to Kobe and Gianna Bryant ?
? Team LeBron will wear No. 2 and Team Giannis will wear No. 24, their jersey numbers.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 31, 2020
? Both teams will wear patches with 9 stars, representing those who lost their lives in the helicopter crash. pic.twitter.com/mgOCPpqJ65
In addition to the All-Star Game honoring Kobe and Gianna, the Rising Stars Game jerseys will feature patches featuring the Nos. 2 and 24 in the center surrounded by nine stars, the league said on Friday.
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) January 31, 2020
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