Trae Young
NBABy Matt Clapp on

The world lost a basketball legend on Sunday, when Kobe Bryant and eight others — including Kobe’s daughter, Gianna — tragically died in a helicopter crash. The NBA chose to go on with Sunday’s games, and that’s understandably led to an extremely emotional day around the league. The tears have been pouring down.

But the tributes have also been pouring in.

Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young was close to Kobe and Gianna, and shared an emotional hug with his mother in the pregame.

Young then began the game wearing No. 8 in honor of Kobe.

Young switched back to his traditional No. 11 during the game, but paid tribute to Kobe in another way: by nailing a 42-foot shot beyond half-court at the halftime buzzer. He also finished the game — a 152-33 Hawks win — with 45 points and 14 assists.

The Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs each took 24-second shot-clock violations to honor Bryant (who was also No. 24), and that trend continued throughout the league on Sunday.

The New Orleans Pelicans and Boston Celtics each took 24-second violations, for example.

And the Memphis Grizzlies and Phoenix Suns honored both of Kobe’s numbers, with 24-second and eight-second violations.

Madison Square Garden honored Bryant with a tribute before the New York Knicks’ game against the Brooklyn Nets.

And “KO-BE!” chants could be heard throughout the arenas, like after this moment of silence at the Nuggets-Rockets game in Denver.

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.

View all posts by Matt Clapp