The NBA postponed the Los Angeles Lakers’ Tuesday night game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday. The postponement follows the death of former Laker, Kobe Bryant, who passed away on Sunday.
In aftermath of Kobe Bryant passing away, Lakers/Clippers game Tuesday has been postponed.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 27, 2020
The NBA announced the postponement in a statement that read, “The decision was made out of respect for the Lakers organization, which is deeply grieving the tragic loss of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven other people in a helicopter crash on Sunday.”
The following has been released by the NBA pic.twitter.com/NgrEP2qpDi
— NBA (@NBA) January 27, 2020
Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, were among the nine people who died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif., on Sunday. Bryant’s death sent shockwaves throughout the league and sports world. Despite the tragic death of Bryant, NBA games were played as scheduled on Sunday. Before the games, teams honored Bryant with moments of silents and players paid tribute to Bryant with their sneakers. Teams that played on Sunday also let the shot clock expire on their first possession in honor of Bryant.
The Raptors and Spurs both took a 24-second shot clock violation to honor Kobe Bryant
(via @Sportsnet)pic.twitter.com/kR7MYbxVT7
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) January 26, 2020
The Rockets & Nuggets hold a moment of silence for Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/5LV9ddyi42
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 26, 2020
The Lakers haven’t said anything publicly about Bryant’s death. On Monday, the Lakers made grief counselors available to employees. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Lakers players and employees are deeply grieving for Bryant and aren’t ready to play a game.
“These guys are not ready to play basketball right now,” a source told Charania.
Lakers players, coaches and officials and entire organization have been deeply grieving loss of Kobe Bryant. “These guys are not ready to play basketball right now,” one source close to Lakers and Clippers players said today. https://t.co/bsDgCGoxeU
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 27, 2020
The NBA made the right decision to postpone the Lakers’ Tuesday night game as the contest would have been the Lakers’ first since Bryant’s tragic death. Not postponing the game would have been disrespectful because Bryant was an NBA legend and one of the league’s greatest players.
The game will be rescheduled but the make-up date has yet to be announced.
The Lakers’ next game is Friday night at home against the Portland Trail Blazers. The team is expected to honor and pay tribute to Bryant on Friday.
