Kyrie Irving, who was personally close to Kobe Bryant, left Madison Square Garden after hearing word of Bryant’s death Sunday afternoon. He did not return and will not play vs. the Knicks.
Irving arrived at the Garden earlier than most players, ready to run out on the MSG floor and go through his usual pregame routine. Before he could even do that, he was told that Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, known as Gigi, had died in a helicopter accident. The crash took place at 9:50 a.m. Sunday, Pacific Time, near Calabasas, California.
After Irving left the building, Kenny Atkinson spoke of the loss.