LeBron James in-game tribute to Kobe Bryant

LeBron James payed a touching in-game tribute to Kobe Bryant in the Los Angeles Lakers' match against the Houston Rockets yesterday.

Unfortunately for the purple and gold, it wasn't there night with point guard Russell Westbrook dropping 41 points to lead the Rockets to a 121-111 victory.

But for Laker fans, they will cherish a special moment during the match when LeBron James replicated an iconic Kobe Bryant reverse windmill dunk that made headlines around the NBA world 19 years ago.

The dunk was all over social media, with fans stunned at how identical James' efforts were.

"Salute my brother," James said on Instagram.

"Mamba for Life, Legends Never Die."

For fans of Kobe Bryant, an official public memorial was announced today.

Bryant, who lost his life alongside his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others in a helicopter crash last month, will be remembered on the 24th of February (US date) at the Staples Center in los Angeles.

The date, 2/24, holds a special significance to fans and the Bryant family with the Lakers legend having worn No.24 for half of his career, and No.2 representing his daughter's number in junior competition.