Kobe Bryant, LeBron James had final phone call Saturday night

LeBron James and several other Los Angeles Lakers players heard from Kobe Bryant for what would be the final time on Saturday night.

James passed Bryant on the NBA’s all-time scoring list in Saturday night’s game. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Bryant and James spoke on the phone after that game, and several of James’ Laker teammates listened in.

One final conversation: LeBron James and Kobe Bryant had phone call late Saturday night after James passed Bryant on the NBA scoring charts, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. Several Lakers players listened into call — in what would be their final memory of Bryant's voice.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 27, 2020

Bryant was still a commanding presence around the Laker organization when he died. James and his teammates all looked up to Bryant, who offered guidance and served as a mentor to many of them. It has to be haunting for these players to have heard Bryant’s voice just hours before he died in a helicopter crash.

Lakers players and staff have been meeting with grief counselors throughout the day on Monday. Their scheduled game Tuesday has already been postponed due to the emotional state of everyone associated with the organization.

More Larry Brown Sports coverage of Kobe Bryant’s death:

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Other victims of the helicopter crash:
– John Altobelli, junior college baseball coach, also died in helicopter crash
– Christina Mauser, girls’ basketball coach, among the helicopter crash victims
– Sarah Chester, daughter Payton were also killed in Kobe Bryant helicopter crash
– Ara Zobayan was the pilot in Kobe Bryant helicopter crash

Tributes to Kobe:
– Dallas Mavericks retire Kobe Bryant’s No. 24 jersey
– Video: Raptors, Spurs start game with amazing tribute to Kobe Bryant
– Shaq posts heartfelt tribute to Kobe Bryant
– Michael Jordan releases statement on death of ‘little brother’ Kobe Bryant
– Video: Doc Rivers breaks down crying talking about Kobe Bryant
– Phil Jackson calls Kobe Bryant ‘a chosen one’ in statement on his death
– NBA commissioner Adam Silver issues statement on death of Kobe Bryant
– Video: Dwyane Wade posts emotional message reacting to Kobe Bryant’s death
– Kendrick Perkins extends olive branch to Kevin Durant after Kobe Bryant’s death
– Video: Emotional Mike Breen sums up NBA world’s emotions about Kobe Bryant’s death
– Trae Young’s huge game was full of Kobe Bryant-related statistical coincidences