Game 4 between the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers was always going to be memorable. It was taking place on August 24 — 8/24, the numbers that the late Kobe Bryant wore.
Bryant and his daughter Gianna were among nine people who died in a helicopter crash in January. The day before Game 4 would have been Bryant’s 42nd birthday. The Lakers honored Kobe Bryant with special “Black Mamba” uniforms.
Los Angeles came out on the court with the new uniforms, and then paid tribute to Bryant on the court by scoring the first 15 points of the game. When starting Lakers point guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope drove and finished a finger roll despite getting fouled by Portland All-Star Damian Lillard with 4:58 left in the first quarter, the score read:
Trail Blazers 8. Lakers 24.
24-8 score on 8-24 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/9z0alEBf38
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 25, 2020
Score: 24-8 💜💛
(📺: Spectrum SportsNet & TNT) pic.twitter.com/3zvLXPBpLa
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 25, 2020
Many people noticed the numeric tribute, including All-Star Chris Paul and one-time champion Kevin Love.
Bean is ALWAYS watching!!! Miss you my brother. 🙏🏾 8/24 pic.twitter.com/YtHJVMD3SB
— Chris Paul (@CP3) August 25, 2020
24/8 Lakers 👀
— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) August 25, 2020
The Lakers wound up scoring 43 first quarter points and 80 first half points to take a commanding lead against the Trail Blazers, shooting well over 60 percent from the field and better than 50 percent from three.