By Agence France-Presse
The Los Angeles Lakers will have more time to mourn the death of Kobe Bryant before returning to the court after the NBA on Monday postponed Tuesday's scheduled game Tuesday against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Fans gather to mourn the death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant at a mural near Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on January 27, 2020, a day after nine people were killed in the helicopter crash which claimed the life of the former Los Angeles Lakers star and his 13-year-old daughter. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP)
The Staples Center matchup, which had been set to be the first NBA game on the Lakers' home court since Lakers legend Bryant died in a helicopter crash Sunday, will be rescheduled at a later date.
"The decision was made out of respect for the Lakers organization, which is deeply grieving the tragic loss," the NBA said in announcing the postponement.
The next scheduled Lakers game is on Friday at Staples Center against Portland.
Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven other people were killed in the crash in the suburban Los Angeles hills near Calabasas, California.
An outpouring of grief from fans and athletes worldwide has included those in Los Angeles who have gathered outside the arena and left items in tribute to Bryant, considered by many the most outstanding athlete from any Los Angeles sports team.
The Lakers own the second-best record in the NBA at 36-10, the best mark in the Western Conference.
Lakers star LeBron James overtook Bryant for third on the NBA's all-time scoring list in a loss Saturday at Philadelphia only hours before the fatal crash.
Fans gather to mourn the death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant at a mural near Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on January 27, 2020, a day after nine people were killed in the helicopter crash which claimed the life of the former Los Angeles Lakers star and his 13-year-old daughter. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP)
The Staples Center matchup, which had been set to be the first NBA game on the Lakers' home court since Lakers legend Bryant died in a helicopter crash Sunday, will be rescheduled at a later date.
"The decision was made out of respect for the Lakers organization, which is deeply grieving the tragic loss," the NBA said in announcing the postponement.
The next scheduled Lakers game is on Friday at Staples Center against Portland.
Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven other people were killed in the crash in the suburban Los Angeles hills near Calabasas, California.
An outpouring of grief from fans and athletes worldwide has included those in Los Angeles who have gathered outside the arena and left items in tribute to Bryant, considered by many the most outstanding athlete from any Los Angeles sports team.
The Lakers own the second-best record in the NBA at 36-10, the best mark in the Western Conference.
Lakers star LeBron James overtook Bryant for third on the NBA's all-time scoring list in a loss Saturday at Philadelphia only hours before the fatal crash.