Madison Square Garden glows purple and gold to honor the late Kobe Bryant

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• NBA icon Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on Sunday.

• The Los Angeles Lakers legend was just 41 years old.

• As the sports world mourns the tremendous loss, Madison Square Garden — otherwise known as the Mecca of Basketball — honored the Black Mamba with purple and gold lights and a pre-game ceremony.

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NBA icon Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna "Gigi" Bryant, died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on Sunday. The Los Angeles Lakers legend was just 41 years old.

Across the globe, the sports world is mourning the sudden and tragic loss — and the Mecca of Basketball is no exception.

New York's Madison Square Garden honored the late Black Mamba with purple and gold exterior lights.

Elsa/Getty Images

The world's most famous arena also hosted a ceremony prior to tip-off of Sunday night's game between the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets.

Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Elsa/Getty Images

• Read more:

• Remembering the highlights of Kobe Bryant's illustrious career after his tragic death

• Gianna 'Gigi' Bryant, Kobe Bryant's daughter, also died in the tragic helicopter accident that killed her father

• The sports world is reacting to the sudden and tragic death of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant

• Kobe Bryant says there are WNBA stars who 'could most certainly keep up' in the NBA

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