LeBron James Says There's 'Never Going to Be a Closure' Over Kobe Bryant's Death

LeBron James believes there is "never going to be a closure" around Kobe Bryant's death.

The 41-year-old died along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other people when the helicopter they were traveling in crashed outside just outside Los Angeles on January 26.

On Monday, a "celebration of life" for Bryant and his daughter was held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles in front of over 20,000 people.

James praised the ceremony, but suggested it was premature to talk about it providing closure to the NBA community and the Los Angeles Lakers in particular.

"It's never a closure. It's never going to be a closure," the three-time NBA champion told reporters on Tuesday.

"I mean, we continue to live on his legacy and continue to have our hearts heavy with both sadness and with happiness for his family that are still here.

"So it's not a closure. But it was a celebration which was well received from not only the Laker faithful, not only the family here, but everybody around the world."

Bryant's wife Vanessa, Michael Jordan and Shaquille O'Neal spoke during the memorial, which featured performances from Alicia Keys, Beyonce and Christina Aguilera.

The four-time MVP expressed his admiration for Bryant's wife, suggesting her speech had highlighted her strength and determination.

"To stand up there the way she [Vanessa] did, to give that speech the way she gave that speech. I commend her," he said. "My heart is with their family still. With his three daughters that are still here. With his wife. With his mom and dad and his sisters."

James' agent Rich Paul told ESPN that James was "in his own space" during Bryant's memorial service and it remains unclear whether the 35-year-old attended the event.

As has been his wont during his career, James did his talking on the court on Tuesday night in the Lakers first home game since the memorial service for Bryant.

In his first career meeting against Zion Williamson, James finished with 40 points, eight rebounds and six assists as he guided the Lakers to a 118-109 win at home against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Playing against his former team, Anthony Davis added 21 points and 14 rebounds for the purple and gold.

Former Lakers forward Brandon Ingram marked his return to the Staples Center with 34 points, while Williamson finished with 29 points, six rebounds and three assists.

The win against the Pelicans is the Lakers's sixth straight and improved their record to 44-12 for the season. The 16-time NBA champions are top of the Western Conference with a five-game gap over the second-place Denver Nuggets and are poised to return to the playoffs for the first time in six years.