Staples Center was buzzing on Sunday night, as retired Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant made a surprise appearance in the teams’ 121-101 wire-to-wire win over the Atlanta Hawks. LeBron James paid homage to the Laker great by going over his seat and shaking his hand early in the first quarter. Shortly after the match, The King talked about how much it meant to him that Bryant took some time off to watch the current Laker ensemble live.

“I grew up watching him, admiring him. I was one of the kids who came from high school. He did it. It’s so surreal for me as a kid from Akron to have a guy like Kobe take time out of his day. Even at this point of my career it’s still special,” he said, per Ben Golliver.

Although the pair never met in Finals at the height of their careers, Bryant and James were considered the two best players in the league at one point.

With Bryant and daughter Gianna watching court side, the Lakers cruised to their 11th win in 13 games and once again regained solo lead of the best record in the entire league.

James was his usual freakish self, further strengthening his early MVP bid with a double-double of 33 points and 12 assists, to go along with seven rebounds in 33 minutes.

The Lakers shared the wealth as six other players finished in double figures, as Kyle Kuzma (17 points), Rajon Rondo (15), Anthony Davis (14), Kentavious Cadwell-Pope (13), Danny Green (11), and Alex Caruso (11) all got into the act.