With fans still flocking to L.A. Live in order to pay their respects to Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and the seven others who tragically passed away in the helicopter crash, the Los Angeles Lakers were in the final stages of preparing to embark on their new normal.
The organization has been rocked by the losses of Kobe and Gianna, and Friday marked their first game since the horrific accident. The Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers both had stretches of sloppy play and moments where they appeared inspired. But that hardly mattered.
The night was bigger. Much bigger.