The Los Angeles Lakers will wear their Black Mamba uniforms, co-designed by Lakers Legend Kobe Bryant, on Feb. 9, 2024, PHT time, at home versus the Denver Nuggets following the unveiling of Bryant’s statue at Star Plaza outside of Crypto.com Arena.
Bryant, an 18-time NBA All-Star and five-time NBA Champion, will be the seventh Laker to be commemorated with a statue, joining Elgin Baylor, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Jerry West, and Chick Hearn.
The Black Mamba uniforms feature a snakeskin-like black print and drop shadows on the jersey numbers, a nod to a detail from the Lakers uniforms from Bryant’s rookie season in 1996-97. The unforms also include an “LA 24” on the belt and the Nos. 8 and 24 under the flap of each leg of the shorts.2.8.24: The Mamba Unis Return 🖤 pic.twitter.com/dJVVm8TSJ2
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 6, 2024
Originally debuted during the 2017-18 season as the team’s first City Edition uniform, the Black Mamba jerseys were inspired by Bryant and his 20-year career with the purple and gold.
The Lakers first wore the Black Mamba uniforms on Jan. 26, 2018, and donned the jerseys once again during the 2020 NBA Playoffs, leading to their 17th NBA championship in franchise history.
BREAKING: The Lakers will wear their Black Mamba jerseys on Thursday
— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) February 6, 2024
MAMBA FOREVER 🐍?? pic.twitter.com/5pwoKR4HbC
