(FILES) In this file photo taken on April 13, 2016 Kobe Bryant gestures to fans as he takes the court for his last game for the Los Angeles Lakers against Utah Jazz in their season-ending NBA western division matchup n Los Angeles, California. – According to multiple US media sources, Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on January 26, 2020. (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP)
The sporting world lost a legend following the tragic death of a basketball icon in Kobe Bryant early Monday (Manila time).
Bryant, who played 20 seasons and won five-championships all for the Los Angeles Lakers, was killed in a helicopter crash in California and the NBA made sure to pay tribute to one of the best to ever do it.
San Antonio Spurs and the Toronto Raptors deliberately took 24-second shot clock violations to start the game in honor of Bryant, who switched from No. 8 to No. 24 at the start of the 2006-07 season.
Remarkable moment to start the Raptors-Spurs game. pic.twitter.com/thmt9ZU1Ra
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) January 26, 2020
The Denver Nuggets and the Houston Rockets also took a moment of silence for Bryant before tipoff.
Moment of silence and respect for Kobe Bryant before the Rockets vs. Nuggets game. RIP🙏pic.twitter.com/RhuizLY059
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 26, 2020