Lakers-Clippers Game Postponed After Kobe Bryant's Death

LOS ANGELES, CA — The NBA on Monday postponed a game scheduled for Tuesday between the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, saying the Lakers are still grieving the deaths of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others in a helicopter crash Sunday.

The game will be rescheduled for a later date, the NBA said.

In different circumstances, the matchup would have shaped up to be a thrilling one in Los Angeles — the city's two basketball teams, both star-powered contenders for the first time in years, facing off at the Staples Center with the playoffs in mind.

Instead, the game looked to be charged with grief following Sunday's tragedy.

The Staples Center, Bryant's home for nearly all of his 20-year career with the Lakers, has already been transformed into a place of mourning. Fans gathered outside the arena in droves Sunday as news spread of Bryant's death; inside the stadium, crews shone spotlights on Bryant's No. 8 and No. 24 jerseys in the rafters as Grammy Awards performers rehearsed onstage.

The game against the Clippers was bound to be a difficult one for the Lakers, who have not played since Bryant's death. The team was reportedly struggling to cope on Sunday, with players including LeBron James reacting with disbelief as the news rippled through the team's plane, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The grieving has not been limited to the Lakers' side. Clippers coach Doc Rivers struggled to keep his composure while speaking to media Sunday about Bryant, saying his players were also in mourning.

"I have to go talk to a team before a game and tell them to play. I can't," Rivers said.

Like other teams across the NBA, the Clippers committed a 24-second shot clock violation to open their game against the Orlando Magic on Sunday — a tribute to Bryant's jersey number.

The Clippers (33-14) have come out on top in two prior games against the Lakers (36-10) this season, with two more matchups to go.

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