LOS ANGELES – Kyrie Irving needed a moment of peace long before the spectacle of Tuesday’s festivities began. The Dallas Mavericks star paid a visit to see the newest statue commemorating the legacy of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant hours before his team suffered a 107-99 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Kyrie Irving paid homage to his late friend, Kobe Bryant, when he visited the statues of him and his daughter, Gianna on Feb. 25.

Dallas Mavericks' Kyrie Irving discussed the emotions of visiting the Gianna and Kobe Bryant statue before playing the Los Angeles Lakers.

Irving would be ruled out shortly after leaving the game with a knee sprain. Most players would've just left the game and gone straight back to the locker room, but Kyrie Irving is not like most players.

It was the first time he visited the Kobe and Gigi Bryant statues outside Crypto Arena. Irving made the visit during pregame. "It meant everything to me. I needed that before game," Irving said. "I don't know if anybody has dealt with that avoiding feeling,

The social media fans put in praise for Kyrie Irving as he kept shooting free throws despite knee injury and compared him to Kobe Bryant.

Kyrie Irving reflects on his emotional visit to the Kobe and Gianna Bryant statue, highlighting his connection to their legacy and the impact on his basketball journey.