Lakers play 1st game since bryant’s death

Red roses adorned the courtside seats where Kobe and Gianna Bryant sat at the last Lakers game they attended. Friday night at Staples Center was unlike any other, as the Lakers played the Trail Blazers in their first game since Bryant’s death on Sunday.

Longtime public address announcer Lawrence Tanter introduced the entire Lakers lineup the same way: “From Lower Merion High School, No. 8, Kobe Bryant.”

Usher sang “Amazing Grace,” and cellist Ben Hong from the Los Angeles Philharmonic performed while video of Bryant talking about his life and career played.

Boyz II Men, from Bryant’s hometown of Philadelphia, sang the national anthem.

The crowd stood for 24.2 seconds of silence as the shot clocks ticked off the time until the horn blared.

LeBron James stood at center court and read the names of the nine crash victims, ending with Bryant. He told the crowd he had remarks prepared and pulled a piece of paper from his sweatpants, but then tossed it to the floor.

“Laker Nation, I would be selling you short if I read off this [expletive], so I’m going to go straight from the heart,” he said.

“The first thing comes to mind is all about family. As I look around this arena, we’re all breathing, hurt and heartbroken,” James said. “The best thing you can do is lean on the shoulders of your family.”

♦ The Raptors’ 10th straight victory Friday night, a 105-92 win against the Pistons, means Nick Nurse and his staff will coach Team Giannis in the Feb. 16 All-Star Game.

Although the Bucks have the best record in the East, Mike Budenholzer coached the All-Star Game last year and therefore were ineligible to do so again this year.

♦ Mavericks guard Luka Doncic will be out at least six games with a sprained right ankle.