The NBA postponed Tuesday’s game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, the league said Monday in a news release.

“The decision was made out of respect for the Lakers organization, which is deeply grieving the tragic loss of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven other people in a helicopter crash on Sunday,” the league said in a statement.

The game will be rescheduled.

Bryant spent his 20-year NBA career with the Lakers and developed many friendships on the basketball and business sides of the operation. The Lakers are devastated. The organization released its first statement since Bryant's death after the game postponement was announced. It reads:

"In consultation with the NBA League office, the game scheduled between the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers for Tuesday, January 28 will be postponed and scheduled for a future date.

"The Los Angeles Lakers would like to thank all of you for the tremendous outpouring of support and condolences. This is a very difficult time for all of us. We continue to support the Bryant family and will share more information as it is available."

TNT was scheduled to broadcast the game. The network and league adjusted by moving the Celtics vs. Heat matchup in Miami from 7:30 p.m. to 8 ET to air on TNT. Coverage will start at 7 ET and will include an expanded hour-long "Inside the NBA" pregame show live from Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles to pay tribute to Bryant.

Owner Jeanie Buss was always close with Bryant, and Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka is one of Bryant’s close friends and was his agent.

The team has brought in grief counselors for group and one-on-one sessions, according to a person familiar with details. The person requested anonymity because of the tragic nature of the situation.

The NBA had discussions with both teams through the day, according to a person familiar with the decision. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly on the postponement.

Because of Bryant’s relationship with the franchise and the game between the two teams just two days after the tragedy in which nine people died, it was determined that postponing the game made sense. Since the two teams play in the same arena, the league and team executives believe they can find a reasonable date to play the game.