The Nuggets unveiled a banner last time the Lakers visited, and the Lakers will unveil a statue when the Nuggets visit.
The second matchup this season between Western Conference Finals adversaries will double as a celebration of Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles. The Lakers will reveal a new statue of Bryant outside their arena Thursday afternoon, and the hosts will wear “Black Mamba” themed jerseys for the game (8 p.m. MT, TNT).
Before boarding a flight to California on Wednesday, the Nuggets (35-16) anticipated an emotional night. It has been two years since Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.