On Sunday, Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna were killed in a helicopter crash, along with seven others, in Calabasas, California. During Sunday's NBA games, many players and teams took the opportunity to pay tribute to Bryant as they processed the news.
- Atlanta Hawks All-Star point guard Trae Young opened the game against Washington by wearing Bryant's uniform number 8. To start the game, the Hawks won the jump ball and Young held it to take an 8-second backcourt violation. The Wizards followed it by inbounding the ball and taking a 24-second violation, honoring Bryant's other uniform number, 24.
- In Memphis, the hometown Grizzlies took the opening jump and took a 24-second violation, then the Phoenix Suns inbounded and took an 8-second violation. Suns guard Devin Booker was visibly in tears during the opening minutes.
- In Madison Square Garden, the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks each took 24-second violations to start the game. Kyrie Irving took a personal day to mourn Bryant's passing. Near the end of the game, Knicks fans began chanting "Kobe Bryant".
- The San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors each took 24-second violations to start their game.
- The Portland Trail Blazers opened the game with a 24-second violation, and the visiting Indiana Pacers took an 8-second backcourt violation.
An incredibly sad day in the world of sports.
[Bleacher Report]
Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports) and like Holdout Sports on Facebook.
