There is much chatter surrounding Luka Doncic’s first game against the Dallas Mavericks since he was stunningly traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for a package revolving around Anthony Davis. Before experiencing that surreal experience on the court, Kyrie Irving is making sure to honor the lives and memories of LA legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gigi Bryant.
Upon his arrival at Crypto.com Arena, the nine-time All-Star guard visited the statue of both individuals, via ClutchPoints, which the Lakers unveiled last summer to pay respect to the entire Bryant family. Irving considered the five-time NBA champion to be a mentor and still keeps his advice with him today.
Kyrie Irving stopped by the Kobe and Gigi Bryant statue outside of Crypto Arena ahead of the Mavs-Lakers game tonight
(via @DarrenMHaynes) pic.twitter.com/xnZnA8oCTp
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 26, 2025
Kyrie Irving focuses on what truly matters in life before Lakers game
Kobe and Gigi Bryant were among nine people who died in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26, 2020. The victims’ families and LA as a whole are still mourning the tragic accident. Many people have decided to offer tributes to the man known as the Black Mamba through murals and their choice of sneakers. His legacy continues to endure, as demonstrated by Irving’s pregame gesture.
The 2016 champ and his Mavericks teammates come into Los Angeles with plenty of emotions, as they just went to the NBA Finals with Doncic last year, but Irving is keeping perspective. In the grand scheme of things, as historic as the Feb. 2 blockbuster trade was, it can never equate with the shock the world felt after learning of that tragic helicopter accident.
Kyrie Irving has been a polarizing figure, for various reasons, but he devotes a great amount of his mental energy into pondering life outside the basketball court. He is thinking of Kobe and Gigi Bryant in the lead-up to Tuesday night’s Mavs-Lakers game. Opening tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET.
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