Super emotional night at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday ... Kobe Bryant's good friend, Pau Gasol, had his jersey retired next to the Mamba's -- and both Gasol and Vanessa Bryant had to wipe away tears during the ceremony.
The festivities went down at halftime of the Lakers' game against the Grizzlies ... when L.A. formally retired Pau's No. 16 after he helped Kobe win two NBA championships in his seven seasons in the purple and gold.
TOGETHER IN THE RAFTERS
Vanessa kicked everything off with a pre-recorded video .