The death of Kobe Bryant was one of the most heartbreaking moments for any NBA fan. Showing up for a Los Angeles Lakers game just a few days ago, the sudden and cruel nature of it left every fan stunned. Just a few days before the incident, the five-time NBA Champion had shared a euphoric and heartfelt message with the new centerpiece of his franchise, LeBron James.
At the time, James had just crossed Bryant on the all-time scoring list. As the NBA world turned celebratory, the 20-year veteran had a special message for the Lakers superstar. However, another teammate just revealed that it wasn’t the only conversation the two shared about the occasion, as the one-time MVP had even had a personal conversation with James on the phone.
What Did Kobe Bryant and LeBron James Discuss in Their Last Phone Call?
When James first announced his decision to come to LA, the scrutiny was intense. For years, he was the city’s most hated rival. However, it was Bryant’s embrace of a changing of the guard that allowed James to thrive.
Delivering the franchise’s 17th championship and setting numerous records in the process, he has now become an integral part of the team’s legacy. One of the biggest moments in that illustrious history was the night he surpassed Bryant on the scoring list.
In a January 25, 2020, game against the Philadelphia 76ers, in the city that was the Mamba’s other home, James finally made history. A regular layup in the third quarter was the harbinger of history, as he moved into third on the all-time scoring list.
Today, he stands at the mountaintop all alone. But at the time, even Bryant’s total seemed insurmountable for any player. The moment was iconic and instantly elevated by the former 13th overall pick’s grace.
However, his Instagram post wasn’t just for the public. As Quinn Cook recently revealed, “He talked to him briefly in the locker room, so guys can’t hear ’em. I don’t know their conversation after.”
Even though he missed that exchange, there was a conversation that he got to be a part of. “We had an early bus, obviously, flying from Philly to LA,” he began. “Me and Bron get on the bus early, and I don’t know if Bron’s ever told this story, but Bron was talking to Kobe that morning.
Hours before his tragic passing, Kobe Bryant spoke with LeBron James on the phone while James was on the Lakers’ team bus, ecstatic about LeBron breaking his scoring record in Philadelphia.
Quinn Cook, Anthony Davis, and Jared Dudley were present, with Cook recalling:
“I heard… https://t.co/IKToXQdouG pic.twitter.com/CN5JDegDTP
— 👑 Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) September 30, 2025
“I heard Kobe’s voice talking. When they talked before, before it was cameras around so they couldn’t get as personal as they want. But they were on the phone for maybe three to four minutes that morning coming back from Philly, and they were talking, and Kobe was just so happy for him.”
As they went on the plane, the two cut the call, and by the time the team landed, the news had already spread like wildfire. It turned out to be the final call between the two. And with the gravity of the moment magnifying after the news, it is no wonder that James has chosen not to share the message publicly.
