Every Heartbreaking Moment From the Lakers' Tribute Ceremony For Kobe Bryant

Usher began the evening with a heartfelt performance while a video montage of mourners played on the big screen.

Famed LA-based cellist Ben Hong performed during a six-minute video about Kobe's life, career, and unparalleled passion for basketball.

During Boyz II Men's performance of the national anthem, the big screen honored Kobe and Gigi, as well as the seven other passengers who lost their lives in the crash: Christina Mauser, Ara Zobayan, Sarah and Payton Chester, and John, Keri, and Alyssa Altobelli.

Opting to "go straight from the heart" instead of reading a prewritten speech, LeBron spoke about the tight-knit bond among Lakers fans and Kobe's influence on the game. "I know at some point we will have a memorial for Kobe, but I look at this as a celebration tonight," he said. "This is a celebration of the 20 years of the blood, the sweat, the tears, the broken-down body, the getting up, the sitting down, the everything, the countless hours, the determination to be as great as he could be. Tonight we celebrate the kid that came here at 18 years of age, retired at 38, and became probably the best dad that we've seen over the last three years."

He went on to encourage fellow NBA athletes to keep playing for Kobe, then concluded, "In the words of Kobe Bryant, Mamba out. But in the words of us, not forgotten. Live on, brother."

Announcer Lawrence Tanter introduced each member of the starting five with some variation of "6-6, 20th year, from Lower Merion High School, Kobe Bryant."

After winning the opening tip, the Lakers dribbled out the shot clock to receive a 24-second violation. The Trail Blazers followed up with an 8-second backcourt violation. Both were nods to Kobe's jersey numbers.

The two artists came together to perform their 2015 song.

The chorus permeated Staples Center as the game continued.