Lakers to retire both Kobe Bryant jersey numbers

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The Los Angeles Lakers, one of the NBA's top franchises, will raise both of Kobe Bryant's jerseys to the rafters during halftime of his former team's game against the defending champion Golden State Warriors at the Staples Center today.

Kobe Bryant in jersey No. 24. /VCG Photo

Bryant retired in 2016, scoring 33,643 career points, the third most in NBA history behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone, also former Lakers.

The five-time NBA champion will become the 10th Lakers player to have his number retired; however, he is the first player in league history to have two numbers retired by the same team. In addition to the halftime ceremony, the franchise will host a Bryant-themed street festival outside Staples Center dubbed "Kobeland" to salute the 18-time All-Star.

CGTN Photo

Kobe's career really had two stages, so it’s only fitting he has two numbers retired.

While wearing No. 8, he managed 514 regular season victories in 707 games, hauling in 3,634 rebounds, dishing out 3,148 assists and scoring 16,866 points – he also won three NBA titles during the stretch.

In No. 24, Bryant scored 16,717 points, had 3,154 assists and grabbed 3,409 rebounds while leading his team to 428 wins in 638 games.