5:42 PM PT -- The Lakers have set aside 2 seats in honor of Kobe and Gigi, who watched many NBA games courtside. Each seat is draped in Kobe and Gigi's jerseys and features a set of roses.
Gigi's Mamba Sports Academy teammates will be in attendance for the game.
2:35 PM PT -- The Lakers will honor Kobe with his #8 and #24 added to the court design ... as well as his initials on the baseline. The players will wear a jersey patch with the same design.
Everyone who attends the Lakers game Friday night will get a free Kobe Bryant tribute shirt, courtesy of the team ... 20,000 in total.
The hard-working people at Staples Center have draped a Kobe shirt on every single seat -- half of the arena will get Kobe #8 shirts. The other half will get #24 shirts.
It's just one part of the Kobe Bryant tributes at Staples on Friday -- the first game for the Lakers since Kobe passed away on Sunday.
There will be a moment of silence, visual tributes to Kobe around the arena and we're told some players are considering addressing the crowd ... but nothing is set in stone yet.
Tickets for Friday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers are already rising in value -- with the cheapest tickets just to get in the building hovering around $800 on the secondary ticket market.
We're expecting to see a massive turnout both inside and outside Staples Center -- where Kobe played for nearly all of his 20 years with the Lakers (the Lakers previously played at The Forum).
Tonight will be emotional. In fact, Carmelo Anthony -- who was very close with Kobe -- did not make the trip because he's still mourning Kobe's death.
Originally Published -- 1:26 PM PT