When are the LA Lakers playing next after Kobe Bryant's death?

The LA Lakers are set to play in their first match following the death of their beloved superstar teammate Kobe Bryant.

Five-time NBA champion Kobe, 41, was killed alongside his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others in a helicopter crash as they flew in thick fog last Sunday, January 26.

Following the accident, the Los Angeles Lakers released a statement saying they were postponing a game scheduled between the LA Lakers and the LA Clippers for Tuesday January 28.

They followed this initial statement with a message, shared across their social media channels a few days later, that paid tribute to Kobe and Gianna:

‘We are devastated and have been forever changed by the sudden loss of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna. We send our love to Vanessa, the Bryant family, and to the families of the other passengers.

‘Words cannot express what Kobe means to the Los Angeles Lakers, our fans, and our city. More than a basketball player, he was a beloved father, husband, and teammate. Their love and light will remain in our hearts forever.

‘The Mamba Sports Foundation has set up the MambaOnThree Fund to support the families affected by this tragedy. To help, please visit MambaOnThree.org. For those who are inspired to continue Kobe and Gianna’s legacy in youth sports, please visit MambaSportsFoundation.org’

When are the LA Lakers playing next after Kobe Bryant’s death?

After the news of the tragic accident broke, a shrine was set up outside the Staples Centre, the home of the LA Lakers who Bryant played for throughout his 20-year career.

The LA Lakers are playing their first match since Kobe’s death this evening, Friday January 31, at the Staples Center in LA.

The game is against the Portland Trail Blazers and is due to start at 7.30pm Pacific Time, which is 3.30am on Saturday morning here in the UK.

Head coach of the Lakers Frank Vogel has vowed that he and his players will do everything in their powers to continue Bryant’s legacy.

He told the media: ‘We want to represent what Kobe was about, more than anything. We have always wanted to make him proud, and that is not going to be any different now.

‘We have become a family in a very short time. It is something that we talk about in the NBA with your teams, but this group, in particular, has really grown to love each other very rapidly.

‘We understand the importance and the opportunity we have this year. This has just brought us closer together.’