Tributes amass outside the Lakers' stadium for Kobe Bryant

Tributes amassed around the Lakers basketball stadium in Los Angeles on Friday for Kobe Bryant, as the team played its first game since the helicopter crash which killed the former basketball star, his daughter and seven others.

The crowd stood for 24.2 seconds of silence as the shot clocks ticked off the time until the horn blared, while spotlights shone on the empty seats set aside for Bryant and his daughter, Gianna.

In a couple of hours leading up to the game there was mostly silence. The electric atmosphere that surges through the arena before NBA games were nowhere to be felt.

Bryant helped the Lakers win five NBA championships during his 20 years in Los Angeles.

Across the street from Staples Center, large crowds continued to gather for informal public mourning at a plaza loaded with flowers, balloons and hand-written messages, many on the pavement, honouring Bryant and his daughter.

Large poster boards covered in signatures and messages were moved to the middle of the blocked off street separating the arena and the LA Live entertainment district.

The Lakers will wear a “KB” patch on their jerseys for the rest of the season.