Fans gather at a mural of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna painted on the wall of Hardcore Fitness Bootcamp gym in downtown Los Angeles. Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Kobe Bryant mural in L.A. vandalized again after $5K restoration by Luka Doncic

By Rusty Weiss | Last updated Jun 4, 2025 1:56 PM ET

A mural in downtown Los Angeles honoring Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna has been vandalized with white spray paint again, just days after its restoration.

The "Mambas Forever" mural depicts the legendary five-time NBA champion kissing his daughter. Kobe and Gianna, along with seven others, were killed in a helicopter crash in 2020.

Remarkably, the vandalism comes just five days after the painting was restored , thanks in large part to a generous gift from the relatively newly acquired Luka Doncic.

After it was defaced in late April, a mural in downtown Los Angeles depicting the late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi was vandalized again. https://t.co/GrLNn0oEbF pic.twitter.com/E6M1YAGP3n
— KTLA (@KTLA) June 4, 2025

Why was Doncic's donation and the artist's restoration effort necessary in the first place? Because the mural had been vandalized once already back in April.

Doncic, dismayed by the display and motivated by an admiration for the NBA icon and what he represents to the community, fully funded the project to restore the artwork to its original condition — to the tune of $5,000.

"It was always important to give back to the community," Doncic told reporters before the Lakers' elimination playoff game against the Timberwolves. "They gave me so much, so I just want to give back.

"Kobe is L.A. He and Gigi mean so much to this city, to the Lakers organization, and to me personally," he added. "I’m happy to do anything to help make sure he and his daughter are honored."

MURAL RESTORED
Restoration is complete on an iconic mural depicting Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter that was vandalized one month ago in downtown https://t.co/y9XEpO55mh pic.twitter.com/Aye06eEMHo
— KTLA 5 Morning News (@KTLAMorningNews) May 30, 2025

Bryant won five NBA championships and earned two Finals MVP Awards during his 20-year career with the Lakers.

Bryant's illustrious career also included one regular-season MVP Award and 18 All-Star selections. He ranks fourth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 33,643 points.

He embodied the relentless "Mamba Mentality" celebrated in the mural. Or, at least it was celebrated by many, minus the vandal.

The artist, according to TMZ, is now looking to relocate the mural to a safer area.

Rusty Weiss

Rusty Weiss is a lifelong Los Angeles Dodgers, Dallas Cowboys, and Xavier Musketeers fan. He has been writing professionally since 2008 with bylines on Sportsnaut, the Daily Caller, Ringside Intel, and Fox News.

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