From left, Vanessa Bryant, Bianka Bryant, Natalia Bryant (holding Capri Bryant) and Mookie Betts stand together before the Dodgers’ game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Friday night was “Lakers Night” at the venue. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers players, including outfielder Jason Heyward, center, wear Kobe Bryant Lakers jerseys before the start of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Friday was “Lakers Night” at the venue. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
There were plenty of Kobe Bryant Lakers jerseys visible for the Dodgers’ game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Friday was “Lakers Night” at the venue. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers players, wearing Kobe Bryant Lakers jerseys, watch a video slide show of the late Lakers legend before the start of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Friday was “Lakers Night” at the venue. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
A slide show featuring late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant with Dodgers players is shown on the video board before the start of the Dodgers’ game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Friday was “Lakers Night” at the venue. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers players, wearing Kobe Bryant Lakers jerseys, watch a video slide show of the late Lakers legend before the start of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Friday was “Lakers Night” at the venue. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
From left, Dodgers owner Stan Kasten, Vanessa Bryant, Bianka Bryant, Natalia Bryant (holding sister Capri Bryant) and Dodgers star Mookie Betts stand together before the Dodgers’ game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Friday night was “Lakers Night” at the venue. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Natalia Bryant, the daughter of late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, laughs while preparing to throw a ceremonial first pitch before the Dodgers’ game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Friday night was “Lakers Night” at the venue. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Natalia Bryant, the daughter of late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, throws out a ceremonial first pitch before the Dodgers’ game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Friday night was “Lakers Night” at the venue. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Natalia Bryant, the daughter of late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, throws out a ceremonial first pitch before the Dodgers’ game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Friday night was “Lakers Night” at the venue. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Natalia Bryant, the daughter of late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, throws out a ceremonial first pitch before the Dodgers’ game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Friday night was “Lakers Night” at the venue. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Natalia Bryant, the daughter of late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, is greeted by Dodgers star Mookie Betts after she threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Dodgers’ game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Friday night was “Lakers Night” at the venue. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Natalia Bryant, daughter of late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, hugs Dodgers star Mookie Betts after throwing out a ceremonial first pitch prior to a game between the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. It was “Lakers Night” at the venue. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodgers players line up for the national anthem in Kobe Bryant Lakers jerseys before the start of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Friday was “Lakers Night” at the venue. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers players and coaches wear Kobe Bryant Lakers jerseys during the national anthem as Kobe Bryant’s family can be seen on the video board above prior to a game between the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. It was “Lakers Night” at the venue. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Vanessa Bryant, right, the widow of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, hugs Dodgers star Mookie Betts as Dodgers co-owner Stan Kasten looks on prior to a game between the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. It was “Lakers Night” at the venue. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodgers players line up for the national anthem in Kobe Bryant Lakers jerseys before the start of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Friday was “Lakers Night” at the venue. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers fan Valente Quintero wears a tribute to late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant for the Dodgers’ game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Friday was “Lakers Night” at the venue. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
There were plenty of Lakers jerseys visible before the start of the Dodgers’ game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Friday was “Lakers Night” at the venue. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
There were plenty of Kobe Bryant Lakers jerseys visible for the Dodgers’ game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Friday was “Lakers Night” at the venue. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers players line up for the national anthem in Kobe Bryant Lakers jerseys before the start of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Friday was “Lakers Night” at the venue. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
LOS ANGELES — Natalia Bryant threw out the first pitch on Friday night before the Dodgers hosted the Atlanta Braves and honored the NBA franchise for which her father Kobe starred.
The 20-year-old USC student tossed the ball from in front of the mound. It took one bounce and into the glove of Dodgers All-Star Mookie Betts, who was handling catching duties.
A smiling Natalia hugged Betts, who wore her father’s No. 24 jersey over his uniform.
Bryant was joined by her mother, Vanessa, and sisters, 6-year-old Bianka and 4-year-old Capri. They all wore Dodgers jerseys. The back of Vanessa’s read Queen Mamba, a nod to Kobe’s nickname. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka also attended.
Kobe Bryant, daughter Gianna, and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash in 2020.
Bianka gave the traditional pre-game shout of “It’s time for Dodger baseball!” with her mother and sisters at her side.
The Braves and Dodgers lined up along the first and third base sides, with the Dodgers wearing Lakers jerseys and fans chanting “Ko-be! Ko-be!”
As the Bryants were introduced, Vanessa blew a kiss to the crowd. Natalia carried her youngest sister before handing her off and standing alone on the field to watch a slide show of her father visiting the Dodgers clubhouse.
Natalia was following in her father’s footsteps. Kobe Bryant handled first-pitch duties at a Dodgers game in 2000.
The family settled into the owners’ box to watch the game, with Bianka hanging over the fence separating the seats from the field for a better look.
Fans who purchased a special ticket package received a black jersey with Dodgers and No. 8 on the front and Bryant and No. 24 on the back, the numbers Bryant wore during his 20-year Hall of Fame career.
The Dodgers presented a $100,000 check to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, a nonprofit that provides funding and sports programming to underserved athletes.
A postgame drone show was scheduled to honor Bryant.
