Luka Doncic's viral L.A. mural: An artist's tribute to Kobe Bryant and the Lakers - ESPN

With each stroke of a spray can, Arutyun Gozukuchikyan refined the details of a Luka Doncic mural — brought to life in colors he never imagined.

«I never thought he was gonna come to [the] Lakers,» Gozukuchikyan told ESPN, referencing the blockbuster trade that sent Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers this month.

As purple slowly covered Doncic's undershirt, someone behind Gozukuchikyan photographed the moment. Overhead, cotton candy clouds painted the Los Angeles sky.

In a city full of murals honoring Kobe Bryant, Gozukuchikyan added another piece, this time paying homage to the Lakers great by welcoming a player fans believe could be the next one.

Located on Melrose Ave., just 10 miles from Crypto.com Arena, the mural captures a moment from the last Lakers game Bryant and his daughter Gianna attended in December 2019. It depicts Doncic and Kobe sharing a postgame high-five, both with wide smiles — after Bryant famously heckled Doncic in Slovenian mid-game.

«I remember the exact moment that that happened. It will always stay in my mind. It was an amazing moment,» said Doncic in his Lakers introductory news conference. «Just for Kobe to know my name was amazing for me. I just wish Kobe and Gigi were here to see this moment.»

As the sun set, Gozukuchikyan's mural was still coming together, but the blueprint was there. He was deep in his work when an onlooker showed him photos they captured. A quick AirDrop later and Gozukuchikyan's quiet project had gone viral.

«It was just Luka up in this white background and the sky looked so crazy, like vibrant colors,» he said. «So I was like wow what an epic picture, I'm posting this. And yeah, it just started from there.»

Gozukuchikyan posted them on his