News broke around 2:30 p.m. EST that Kobe Bryant and four others were killed in a helicopter accident in Calabasas, Calif. We have since learned that the other four were Kobe’s daughter, Gianna, in addition to a teammate of hers, the teammate’s parent, and the pilot. They were on their way to a travel basketball game.
Word spread quickly and the NBA community took to social media to pay their respects to one of the greatest to ever play the game.
🙏🏽🤦🏽‍♂️ RIP to a legend smh
— Vince Carter (@mrvincecarter15) January 26, 2020
Nooooooooooo God please No!
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) January 26, 2020
There’s no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi & my brother @kobebryant I love u and u will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW pic.twitter.com/pigHywq3c1
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) January 26, 2020
Please no.. please do not let this be true. #KobeBryant
— Jay Williams (@RealJayWilliams) January 26, 2020
There were games on the schedule for this Sunday but they were not postponed due to the tragic event. The Toronto Raptors were in San Antonio for a contest against the Spurs, and both teams paid tribute to the legend by taking identical 24-second clock violations in honor of Bryant, who wore No. 24 during his career.
The Raptors and Spurs both took 24-second violations at the start of their game in honor of No. 24, Kobe Bryant.
The crowd gave a standing ovation along with Kobe chants. pic.twitter.com/C2VD5iZez9
— ESPN (@espn) January 26, 2020
The Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets held a moment of silence along with a quick tribute video before the start of their match up in honor of Kobe Bryant.
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
Kobe Bryant had such an effect on the game today that he will be forever missed. His love and passion for the game of basketball will never be questioned.
