(SPOT.ph) The Toronto Raptors and the San Antonio Spurs opened their game with a tribute to Kobe Bryant, after the NBA legend's death was confirmed on January 26 following a fatal helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.
Reigning champs Toronto Raptors and the San Antonio Spurs took 24-second shot clock violations in honor of Bryant, who wore the number 24 for the Los Angeles Lakers for most of his storied career. Both teams took turns standing still for first 24 seconds that they had the ball, letting the shot clock run out with neither aiming for a basket. The moment received a standing ovation from the stadium.
Bryant was reportedly among the nine passengers of a helicopter that crashed in the Calabasas hills on Sunday, January 26. The Los Angeles police have not yet confirmed the identity of all on board, but reports say that the 41-year-old Bryant was on his way with his daughter Gianna to a basketball game at Mamba Sports Academy, a school he opened in 2016 to train young athletes.
Main image from Keith Allison/Wikimedia Commons.