Less than a week after the helicopter crash that resulted in the deaths of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, the Los Angeles Lakers played again at the Staples Center, where Bryant played in and attended so many games over the years. Friday's game between the Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers began with a pre-game tribute to Bryant, Gianna, and fellow victims Alyssa Altobelli, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Payton Chester, Sarah Chester, Christina Mauser, and Ara Zobayan.

The Lakers all appeared on the court wearing Bryant's numbers 8 and 24, and every seat was draped in his signature jerseys. The tribute included performances by Usher and Boyz II Men, as well as a speech from LeBron James.

The House That Kobe Built pic.twitter.com/UDuW5HbUjr — STAPLES Center (@STAPLESCenter) January 31, 2020

The house that Kobe built 💛💜



LeBron James led the tributes as the LA Lakers had their first game since Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash alongside his daughter Gianna and seven other people.https://t.co/hAmg3AdA9q pic.twitter.com/Ancd23vxre — BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 1, 2020

“It doesn't really feel like you're here for a game,” fan Jeff Nadal told the Associated Press. “It feels like you're here for something a lot bigger than that. We didn't even know the guy, but we feel like we did.”

The Staples Center also asked the crowds of fans amassed outside to watch the tribute to Bryant and other victims of Sunday's accident at home with their loved ones. The pre-game tribute was not broadcast on the Staples Center screens.

As we morn the loss of Kobe & Gianna Bryant PLEASE If u don’t have a ticket 2 tonites game DON’T come down 2 ⁦@STAPLESCenter⁩ ⁦@LALIVE⁩ Stay home watch w/ur friends & families & hug ur loved ones as we will NOT be showing it on r screens https://t.co/ouUHMxRyeG — Lee Zeidman (@LeeZeidman) January 31, 2020

"Tonight we celebrate the kid that came here at 18, retired at 38 and became probably the best dad we've seen over the last three years.” pic.twitter.com/0sS7e91cuz — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 1, 2020

“Just make sure you hug the s—- out of your family. If you got kids, tell your kids you love them. Try to make it to as much as you can.”



—LeBron James while talking about Kobe and tonight’s emotions pic.twitter.com/7FV7idH3Xl — ESPN (@espn) February 1, 2020

Lakers handled everything pre-game perfectly tonight. We needed to hear Lebron talk, and he delivered in spades 💜💛 #MambaForever — Ralph Mason (@Ralph_MasonJr) February 1, 2020

LeBron moved by the Lakers tribute to Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/1kQwIMqfWW — Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 1, 2020