MADRID, Jan. 27 (SportsFinding) –
The Los Angeles derby between the Lakers and the Clippers, scheduled for early Tuesday through Wednesday at the Staples Center, has been postponed due to the death of former US player Kobe Bryant, who wore the purple and gold shirt for 20 years, announced this Monday the NBA.
“The decision was made out of respect for the Lakers, who deeply regret the tragic loss of their legend Kobe Bryant, their daughter Gianna and seven other people in a helicopter crash on Sunday,” the NBA confirmed, explaining that the match will be played. “at a later date” yet to be determined.
Bryant, 41, lost his life this Sunday when the helicopter in which he was traveling with eight other people crashed in a mountainous area of the Californian town of Calabasas, a tragedy that could have been caused by the dense fog that reigned in the place around 10.00 local time, when the accident occurred.
In his 20 years as a Lakers player, Bryant was 'MVP' of the season in 2008, twice 'MVP' of the NBA Finals, five times champion and 18 times 'All-Star', a race in which He also won two Olympic golds. He retired in 2016, scoring 60 points in his final game and finished his career with 33,643 points, now fourth on the all-time list after LeBron James beat him only one day before his death.