Day: January 26, 2020

This will certainly be a strange game, with the entire NBA world struggling with the shocking and tragic death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gigi, in a helicopter crash, along with one of Gigi’s teammates and their parent (as well as the pilot, of course).

Julius Randle, in particular on the Knicks, played with Kobe during Kobe’s final seasons, so he’s probably a wreck right now.

Kyrie Irving took the game off as soon as he heard the news. He and Kobe were good friends.

Our condolences to the families of the crash victims.

Sad if it’s true. So far only TMZ is the one reporting it…

https://www.tmz.com/2020/01/26/kobe-bryant-killed-dead-helicopter-crash-in-calabasas/

Kobe Bryant died in a helicoper crash in Calabasas Sunday morning … TMZ Sports has confirmed.

Kobe was traveling with at least 3 other people in his private helicopter when it went down. A fire broke out. Emergency personnel responded, but nobody on board survived. 5 people are confirmed dead. We’re told Vanessa Bryant was not among those on board.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

EDIT: An L.A. Times writer has confirmed it as well.

I can confirm that Kobe Bryant is among those dead in a helicopter crash. This is not a hoax. Just awful.

— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) January 26, 2020