Along with Bryant's 33,643 points, the five-time NBA champion and 18-time All-Star selection also leads the Lakers in games played (1,346), 3-pointers (1,827), steals (1,944) and free throws (8,378). Bryant is the third-leading scorer in league history.

He also was the first player to spend at least 20 seasons with one franchise, and he is widely beloved in Southern California, where he still lives with his family.

"He's everything in this city," said Lakers coach Luke Walton, Bryant's teammate on the last two title teams.

"To play his entire career for one organization, in modern sports, it really doesn't happen very often anymore," Walton added.

"To go through two different championship runs, I think the Lakers are such a huge part of this city that people feel connected to him. ... They feel as if they were on that journey with him, with us, and I think that's why there's such a connection."

The Lakers celebrated by closing down the street outside Staples Center and staging a street fair dubbed "Kobeland," complete with a Ferris wheel and many other games and attractions. Thousands of fans crowded into the downtown streets several hours before the game just to appreciate the atmosphere.