By Agence France-Presse

The Los Angeles Lakers will have more time to mourn the death of Kobe Bryant before returning to the court after the NBA on Monday postponed Tuesday’s scheduled game Tuesday against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Jan 27, 2020; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr. (5) wears sneakers with a written tribute to Kobe Bryant who was killed in a helicopter crash on Jan 26, 2020 prior to the game against the Orlando Magic at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports/ REUTERS/ MANILA BULLETIN

Jan 27, 2020; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr. (5) wears sneakers with a written tribute to Kobe Bryant who was killed in a helicopter crash on Jan 26, 2020 prior to the game against the Orlando Magic at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports/ REUTERS/ MANILA BULLETIN

The Staples Center matchup, which had been set to be the first NBA game on the Lakers’ home court since Lakers legend Bryant died in a helicopter crash Sunday, will be rescheduled at a later date.

“The decision was made out of respect for the Lakers organization, which is deeply grieving the tragic loss,” the NBA said in announcing the postponement.

The next scheduled Lakers game is on Friday at Staples Center against Portland.

Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven other people were killed in the crash in the suburban Los Angeles hills near Calabasas, California.

An outpouring of grief from fans and athletes worldwide has included those in Los Angeles who have gathered outside the arena and left items in tribute to Bryant, considered by many the most outstanding athlete from any Los Angeles sports team.

The Lakers own the second-best record in the NBA at 36-10, the best mark in the Western Conference.

Lakers star LeBron James overtook Bryant for third on the NBA’s all-time scoring list in a loss Saturday at Philadelphia only hours before the fatal crash.

Source: Manila Bulletin