Lakers legend Bryant, 41, and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on Sunday.
Vogel said it had been an "extremely emotional" and "deeply saddening" time for everyone involved with the storied franchise, with whom five-time NBA champion Bryant spent his entire 20-year career.
But after returning to training on Wednesday, having postponed their game against rivals the Los Angeles Clippers, Vogel vowed his team would grow more unified.
"I don't think it could break us apart in any way," Vogel said. "It's just a feel thing. You observe those around you, you observe your own feelings and emotions, and you proceed at the right pace at the right time."
"It's just strengthened what we've felt all year about our current group," he continued.
"We've become a family in a very short time. It's something you talk about in the NBA with the teams, but this group in particular has grown to love each other very rapidly.
"We understand the importance and opportunity we have this year, and this has just brought us closer together."
The league's MVP in 2008 and an All-Star 18 times, Bryant wrote his name into NBA record books during his two decades in Los Angeles.
The Lakers are this season competing for their first championship since 2010 and Vogel said the team intended to do their former superstar justice.
"We want to represent what Kobe was about more than anything," he said.
"We've always wanted to make him proud and that's not going to be any different here. We want to represent what he stood for. That's the most important thing for us."
Los Angeles are due to return to the floor against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on Friday.
James and Davis have agreed to new contracts with the Lakers ahead of the 2020-21 NBA season after helping the team win the championship in October.
Vogel believes the Lakers are fortunate to have the duo, who were both All-Stars last season.
"Those two guys are the cornerstones of our franchise and everything is going to be built around them. Similar to the way we structured things last year," the Lakers head coach told reporters.
"That's the way it's going to be going forward. We are extremely grateful and lucky to have those guys with our team, to lead our team for years going forward.
"Those two guys are going to be pillars for us."
After his arrival from the New Orleans Pelicans ahead of 2019-20, Davis became the highest scoring team-mate of James' career – averaging 26.1 points per game.
Only James Harden and Russell Westbrook at the Houston Rockets (61.5) and Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum at the Portland Trail Blazers (52.2) averaged more points per game last season than James and Davis. Both Houston and Portland lost to the Lakers in the postseason.
Davis, who has agreed to a deal reportedly worth $190million over five years, said his goal for 2020-21 was to win another title.
"It's really hard for me to set goals like MVP and DPOY [Defensive Player of the Year]. I just kind of let that fall into place," he said.
"If I go out there and play the way I'm supposed to and up to my potential, those things just happen. The goal is winning another championship, my goal is to be on the floor as much as possible and not get injured.
"Some little things I love to set goals for myself. I don't aim for MVP or DPOY, if it comes it comes. It's more so just staying on the floor with my history of injuries.
"Those type of things I set goals for myself and doing whatever I can do to help the team win."
The Lakers will begin their season against the Los Angeles Clippers on December 22.
After their humbling at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, Davis led the Lakers to a 114-106 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.
Davis posted 27 of his game-high 34 points in the opening half, while collecting 15 rebounds and tallying six assists for the championship-chasing Lakers, who continue to be without superstar LeBron James.
Only once previously have the Lakers won the title after making a 7-6 start, improving to 57-25 in 2007-08 to take the top seed in the Western Conference.
Their early struggles prompted Davis to issue a warning regarding their "embarrassing" form following the 107-83 home loss to the Timberwolves.
Vogel hailed 2020 NBA champion Davis after helping the Lakers (8-6) outlast the Spurs (4-9).
"Anthony really imposes his will on this game," Vogel told reporters post-game in Los Angeles.
"I think he, probably more than anyone, was unhappy with how last game unfolded and he was intent to impose his will."
Davis added: "We're starting to get our guys back and we want to make a run. We want to go on a nice little winning streak and be the team that we know that we can be.
"But it starts with our defence. I feel like we had moments where we were like the old Lakers where we mess up and break down our coverages. But for the most part we looked really good."
Russell Westbrook added 14 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists for the Lakers, while Talen Horton-Tucker contributed 17 points in his season debut.
"To come out in his first game and do what he did was unreal," Davis said of Horton-Tucker. "I'm impressed.
"His first game and to come in and do what he did to help us win was huge and a sign of his hard work. A lot of guys usually come back and are kind of rusty, but he came in like he had been playing with us this whole time."
The Lakers were beaten despite strong performances from their two biggest stars, as LeBron James racked up 38 points and eight rebounds while Anthony Davis returned from injury with 23 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in 37 minutes.
C.J. McCollum and Brandon Ingram combined for 61 points for the Pelicans, who are now almost assured of their place in the play-in tournament.
The Lakers' play-in tournament chances took a massive hit with the loss – which moved their record to 4-16 in their past 20 games – sitting one game behind the San Antonio Spurs in the race for the 10 seed, with a difficult remaining schedule.
Speaking with post-game media, Vogel said he had no choice but to play James and Davis for extended minutes and cut down the rotation.
"I think potentially [they were affected by fatigue down the stretch], but this was a playoff-mindset type of game, so those guys want to be in there," he said.
"We're communicating constantly throughout the game. I think both of them would say [they did not play too many minutes] – it's a playoff game, you got to be in there, you've got to compete.
"This was a playoff game for us, so you use the roster however you see fit, given that matchup.
"C.J. McCollum and Brandon Ingram as a tandem, and with [Jonas] Valanciunas, those three guys are as good as just about any three you can put together in the league. That's why they're one of the hottest teams in the league.
"It's why we liked what Avery [Bradley] could bring to the table, and using Dwight [Howard] on Jonas as much as possible, but the guys who fell out of the rotation [including Talen Horton-Tucker and Austin Reaves] was just due to matchup."
Vogel felt the Lakers' issues scoring down the stretch were a microcosm of their campaign.
"I think it's the nature of the disjointed season that we've had – these guys haven't been on the floor in six weeks together," he said.
"We played last night – it was a tough travel situation getting in late and having to play an important game today, we just fell short. Those are the little things that are the difference between winning and losing.
"I won't look at [10th seed] San Antonio at all – obviously we'll find out what their scores look like, but our focus has to be on what we can control, and that's winning the next game."
James finished with 29 points, seven rebounds and five assists after playing exclusively at center in the second half of Friday's 116-105 win over the Orlando Magic.
The four-time MVP was moved into Dwight Howard's role after half-time with the Lakers immediately going on a decisive 20-2 to overcome their 62-54 deficit.
"He's the most unique player in the history of the game," Vogel told reporters about James.
"We won a championship with him playing point guard two years ago, he's been a ball-handling wing throughout his career and he's been playing center for us.
"It's pretty remarkable, and for him to be doing it at this stage of his career, it's even more remarkable."
Vogel also praised Russell Westbrook who was benched in the fourth quarter of Wednesday's 111-104 loss to the Indiana Pacers.
Westbrook, who joined the Lakers from the Washington Wizards in the off-season, has been the subject of much criticism this season.
The 33-year-old Lakers point guard had 18 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists against the Magic.
“He’s all-in on doing whatever is necessary to get the Lakers in position to win a championship, for sure," Vogel said.
Westbrook added: “I was upset about [being benched on Wednesday] and I was more upset that we didn’t win the game.
"I’ve been here doing my job since day one and doing everything asked of me. I want to continue to do that for the betterment of the team."
Vogel also added that there was no firm timeframe on All-Star forward Anthony Davis' return from a knee injury.
James has scored 25 or more points in 16 consecutive games, which have all coincided with Davis' stint on the sidelines.
Davis sustained the injury in Friday's 110-92 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves and underwent scans and evaluation on Saturday.
Lakers head coach Frank Vogel had hoped the forward's injury was only minor but the franchise confirmed on Saturday he has suffered an MCL sprain and will miss four weeks minimum.
Davis had played 27 of the Lakers' 30 games this season, averaging 23.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.0 blocked shots per game.
The loss of Davis is a setback for the Lakers who are 14-16 and already without Avery Bradley, Talen Horton-Tucker, Dwight Howard, Malik Monk, Kendrick Nunn and Austin Reaves due to the NBA's health and safety protocols.
Lakers head coach Frank Vogel said All-Star Davis is considered "day-to-day" after he was poked in the eye during Saturday's scrimmage against the Orlando Magic.
Davis did not participate in practice on Tuesday as the Lakers prepare for the 2019-20 season to resume via a 22-team format in Orlando, Florida after the league was suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"He's day-to-day, and while he's still dealing with discomfort there is some concern that he could potentially not play Thursday," Vogel told reporters via a video conference on Tuesday.
"But we're hopeful that he does, and we'll see how that plays out. He's going to continue to be evaluated each day."
Davis left the 119-112 victory over the Magic at Walt Disney Resort, having put up nine points and 10 rebounds.
The 27-year-old was averaging 26.7 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game for the Western Conference-leading Lakers prior to the postponement.
"I don't know if I'm allowed to really get into the details of it, other than that's what they told me to report," Vogel added. "So that's all I can give you."
Vogel stated that he had not been told he would lose his job after the Lakers ended a poor season with a 146-141 win over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.
The 48-year-old was relieved of his duties by the 17-time NBA champions on Monday, though, almost three years after he was appointed.
Vogel guided the Lakers to the NBA title in his first season in charge two years ago, but they were beaten by the Phoenix Suns in the opening round of the playoffs in 2021.
The Lakers endured a 2021-22 season to forget, finishing 11th in the Western Conference with a 33-49 record, and Vogel has paid the price.
Lakers vice-president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka said: "I have a tremendous amount of respect for Frank both on and off the court.
"Frank is a great coach and a good man. We will forever be grateful to him for his work in guiding us to the 2019-20 NBA championship.
"This is an incredibly difficult decision to make, but one we feel is necessary at this point. All of us here wish Frank and his wonderful family all the best for the future."
The Lakers beat the Nuggets 146-141 at Ball Arena on Sunday to finish the campaign with a 33-49 record.
Languishing down in 11th place in the Western Conference, Los Angeles missed out on the playoffs two years after Vogel masterminded an NBA title triumph.
Vogel will reportedly be sacked on Monday, but the 48-year-old says that is news to him.
He said: "I haven't been told s*** and I'm going to enjoy tonight's game, celebrate what these young guys did in terms of scratching and clawing and getting back in this game and getting a W, and we'll deal with tomorrow, tomorrow."
Malik Monk praised the way Vogel has gone about his business after top scoring with 41 points in the win over the Nuggets.
"He kept his cool the whole time," Monk said. "Didn't talk about no problems like that. Didn't talk about anything like that.
"He came in and worked and always gave us a great game plan... He was always about us. It was never really about him. And I praise him for that.
"I know that was pretty hard on him, but he never talked about it. He never changed his demeanour."
James is listed as doubtful for the Lakers' clash with the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday due to knee swelling, having missed their past three games.
The four-time MVP had returned to Los Angeles prior to Sunday's 129-121 loss to the Atlanta Hawks after undergoing an MRI on his left knee.
"We're still working on trying to get the swelling down," Vogel told reporters on Tuesday.
"He's listed as doubtful for tomorrow. He's not here today. He got treatment outside of our facility today."
The 37-year-old had been in excellent offensive form prior to the knee problem, having scored 25 points or more in 18 straight games.
Despite that, the Lakers are battling with a 24-27 record but Vogel said they would not rush James back.
“The number one goal is that he’s healthy for the long haul," Vogel said. "Everything is else less important than that. We have to win games when he’s out.”
Vogel also confirmed that the Lakers had left James out for the past three games for preventative reasons, with the swelling offering concern for a potential injury.
The 28-year-old took ankle and knee blows in the 110-92 setback on Friday, forcing him out of the game and leaving question marks over whether a lay-off could follow.
Lakers coach Frank Vogel said: "He did see the team doctor here. He's just going to have to be evaluated tomorrow [Saturday] with the MRI, and we'll know more at the time.
"Hopefully, it's something minor and he can get back soon, but we'll find out more tomorrow."
On the defeat, he added: "We have enough to win the game, and we didn't play well enough.
"I think their whole team was more physical. They definitely played a more physical brand of basketball today, and we've got to be better."
Davis is averaging 23.3 points plus 9.9 rebounds this season.
"You lose a player of AD's calibre, your team gets weakened," Vogel said.
"We don't feel sorry for ourselves. You hope for the best for AD. You want him in there, and you hate to see any guys suffering any injuries, but we always feel like we have enough to win.
"So, we're not feeling sorry our ourselves or looking for excuses."
Davis managed just nine points in 20 minutes on court, while LeBron James scored a modest 18 points in 35:30 with five-of-13 shooting, adding 10 rebounds.
James is hopeful Davis will be soon back in action.
"I asked him how he's doing, and he said: 'I'll know more tomorrow', so that's all we know," James said.
"My concern is always for his health. You wish for the best."
James reflected on injuries and the COVID-19 crisis depleting the Lakers' ranks, with players coming in and out of isolation, and said the current circumstances felt "like a revolving door of what-ifs".
"Hopefully, we can get past it soon and can really show who we are as a team, what we are capable of and not having guys in and out so much," he added.
James suffered an ankle sprain last week, the issue forcing him to join Davis on the injury list, with the latter struggling due to a calf strain and Achilles tendinosis.
While James is only a recent absentee, Davis has already missed a considerable chunk of the season, with the Lakers 7-10 without him.
Center Davis is not expected back for at least another three weeks and there is growing concern James may yet need a similar amount of rest to avoid aggravating the problem.
The Lakers' latest setback came at the hands of the New Orleans Pelicans in a 128-111 loss, meaning they have dropped to fourth in the Western Conference, and Vogel knows where he will be focusing much of his attention.
"We have a lot of emphasis on offensive side in last few days with LeBron and AD [Davis] out," he said. "I thought we had some growth, some real growth, some real positives about what we're doing offensively.
"We had a stretch in the second quarter where we hit a big drop that really hurt us in this game, but with the emphasis on the offensive end we didn't play well enough.
"We're going to miss guys like that, LeBron and AD, on both sides of the ball. So getting us organised offensively is probably by top priority right now.
"I know we can tighten up defensively but we've got to be better on that end."
Nevertheless, Vogel is also adamant he has enough quality at his disposal without James and Davis to steer the defending NBA champions back on track.
"We are staying positive, we have great belief in this group," he continued. "Even with Lebron and AD out, we can win games in this stretch and there's going to be a silver lining at the end of it.
"The growth we exhibit while shorthanded will pay dividends down the stretch. We're going to remain positive, keep playing super hard like today.
"We've just got to execute better and collect as many wins along the way as we can."
Lakers forward Davis has missed the past three NBA games due to the injury suffered against the New York Knicks last week.
The six-time All-Star escaped serious injury after landing heavily on his backside and he told reporters on Tuesday: "Right now, just talking to you? Zero [pain] right now.
"It's the movement that kind of gets me. But... I'm getting closer to getting back on the floor with these guys."
"It was very painful," Davis continued. "Hard for me to walk, obviously. It was pretty tough for me to just roll over on my back and on my side at the initial point of contact.
"It was tough. I didn't want any speculation, but I was just praying that it wasn't anything too serious."
Davis – who has been averaging 27.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game this season – added: "Very relieving knowing that just based on how it felt, a day-to-day thing, [rather] than a fracture or anything like that where you need surgery and you're out weeks or months or whatever. I'm glad [that my return timeline], it's just based on how I feel.
"Every day it's getting better and I'm a lot closer than I was three days ago. Made some more progress today. When I feel like I'm able to get back to my old self and do the moves I've always done and be successful at it, that's when I'll be able to get back on the floor."
The Western Conference-leading Lakers (33-7) have not missed a beat in Davis' absence, extending their winning streak to nine games.
"This is L.A. You know everything I say will be quoted out of context. So I was going to make a joke, but I'm not going to joke because we definitely need Anthony Davis," said Lakers head coach Frank Vogel.
"But we are undefeated this week without him. Something along the lines of, 'Well, if you look at the statistics...' I don't know what the joke would be. I'm not very funny."
James is out indefinitely due to an ankle injury but still travelled to Phoenix to support his team, along with Anthony Davis, who is also currently out.
The duo watched on as the Lakers slipped to a 111-94 defeat on the road, despite 23 points from Montrezl Harrell on 10-of-13 shooting. Dennis Schroder, meanwhile, contributed 22 points.
Vogel explained afterwards how point guard Schroder is set to become the "head of the snake" in the absence of the team's two leading names, with the reigning NBA champions now 0-2 when playing without LeBron this season.
"I think our guys really fought tonight," Vogel said. "We didn't shoot the ball that well, but I thought we competed at a very high level.
"It is going to take a little time as we adjust, figure out where the shots are coming from and what our new identity is going to look like."
He added in his post-game news conference: "Obviously, Dennis Schroder is going to be the head of the snake with the ball in his hands the most, dictating some of the action.
"But we've got a lot of veteran guys on this team that can lead, and we encourage our guys to lead from every chair in the room."
Schroder felt the presence of James – wearing a boot to protect the high ankle sprain he suffered in Saturday's game with the Atlanta Hawks – on the bench demonstrated the four-time MVP's commitment to the cause.
"In my career, I've seen people getting hurt and don't come on the road trip; and for him, being the best - one of the best who ever played this game - that you see him on the bench being there even if he's hurt, means a lot to me and all the other [players on this team] too," Schroder said.
It still remains unclear how long James will be sidelined; the 36-year-old was having an outstanding season prior to the injury, averaging 25.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and 7.9 assists, putting him firmly in the MVP conversation.
As for Davis, he has not played since February 14 due to a calf issue.
After Sunday's controlled 95-85 victory at Staples Center, the Lakers were made to work harder for Tuesday's 119-117 win that moved them to 5-3 for the season.
LeBron James' second double-double of the season helped Los Angeles over the line, the four-time NBA MVP tallying 30 points and 10 assists despite continuing to struggle with an ankle issue.
Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook each put up 27 points to inspire a recovery from an 11-point deficit in the third quarter.
There was controversy in the closing minutes when officials called Vogel and Rockets coach Stephen Silas for a long discussion before it was announced the Lakers were having two points removed.
The decision was made after officials said they had incorrectly given Kent Bazemore two free throws when the Rockets were called for their fifth foul of the quarter, when it was in fact their fourth.
The Lakers' frustrations stemmed from the fact they effectively gave up a possession when the decision was made given the time that was allowed to pass.
"That's definitely something the league has got to look at," said Vogel. "I understand the mindset to get it right, but... it was their fourth foul and they gave us free throws. You're only supposed to get free throws on the fifth foul, so we shoot the free throws and play resumes, and a couple possessions later they made a mistake, so they just take the points off the board.
"Once play resumes, you can't correct that. You can't correct it. The league's got to look at that, because they can't give us that possession back. Like, if it was corrected at the time of the call, we get the ball on the side and it's our ball. Once that goes away, you just take the points away and don't give us the possession back, you can't correct that at that point.
"So, I'm very frustrated by that, the league has to look at that."
Davis, who also tallied nine rebounds and three blocks, felt the call could have cost the Lakers the win.
"So, [the officials] took the two points away. But what me, Bron and coach were explaining to the refs was we lost a possession," he said.
"We didn't take the ball out or anything. We shot free throws – take the points away, and now we just lose the possession, which could have cost the game. In a sense, nothing you can do about it, stuff like that. But good thing it didn't hurt us. Again, that's a [tough] situation."
The Lakers, missing LeBron James due to an abdominal strain, opened up a commanding 19-point lead in the second quarter at Staples Center on Thursday.
Oklahoma roared back to end the Lakers' three-match winning run, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 11 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter as the Thunder secured only their second victory of the season.
Head coach Vogel says the Lakers will not feel sorry for themselves with the likes of James absent and will learn from their defeat to Oklahoma.
"We don't worry about stuff we can't control, we all want to win every game badly," said Vogel. "We want it to be perfect right now.
"We have big-picture patience but small-picture sense of urgency to get this right, right away and to win these games in the short term. We fell short tonight, it's disappointing but we'll get to work tomorrow and get better from it."
Vogel warned his players they must be consistent throughout matches after a strong first half was in vain.
"It's a long game, they are going to keep playing. Early leads don't really mean anything in the modern NBA," he added.
"You got to keep playing, we learned our lesson last week, but they made their run in the second quarter and it's a 48-minute game, you've got to play quarters."
Anthony Davis scored a game-high 29 points, claimed 18 rebounds and provided five assists as the Lakers slipped to 5-4.
Lakers head coach Frank Vogel said Davis suffered the injury in the opening-night loss to city rivals the Los Angeles Clippers before re-aggravating the problem in the Christmas Day triumph over the Dallas Mavericks.
"Well, we just want to be responsible with it," Vogel told reporters after the Lakers' morning shootaround on Sunday. "We want to keep an eye on it."
Davis has been averaging 23.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists through the first two games of the season for defending champions the Lakers (1-1).
"We want to take advantage of our depth and be intelligent with this injury," Vogel said of Davis.
Following a brief offseason after the Lakers clinched their first title in 10 years in October, Vogel said the team have no set policy regarding Davis and LeBron James in back-to-back games this term.
"We're going to approach each one throughout the whole year on a case-by-case basis," Vogel said. "And with the expectation that our guys will play both games, unless there is a reason otherwise.
"In this case, there is a reason otherwise with Anthony's calf. We'll just continue to evaluate that throughout the year."
Lakers superstar James is averaging 22.0 points, 7.5 assists and 6.0 rebounds per game.
Lakers superstar Davis has been sidelined since exiting the NBA champions' clash with the Denver Nuggets on February 14 as he recovers from tendinosis and a calf strain in his right leg.
But after 30 games – the longest injury absence of his nine-year career – eight-time All-Star Davis will suit up to face the Mavericks on Thursday, Lakers head coach Frank Vogel confirmed pre-game.
"I wanted to make sure I was coming back 100 per cent, because it wouldn't be fair to myself, wouldn't be fair to my team," Davis said on Wednesday. "I feel great.
"These last games leading to the playoffs, a lot of teams aren't healthy, a lot of players aren't healthy. I'm 100 per cent, and we've got Bron [LeBron James] coming back [from an ankle sprain] as well who's going to be 100 per cent healthy. I think we've put ourselves in a good position."
Davis, who will return on a minute's restriction, was averaging 22.5 points per game this season before the injury – his lowest since his second year in the league with the New Orleans Pelicans (20.8).
The 28-year-old's average of 8.4 rebounds in 2020-21 is the lowest since his rookie season (8.2) in 2012-13.
The Lakers (35-23) are fifth in the Western Conference, behind the Utah Jazz (44-15), Phoenix Suns (42-16), Los Angeles Clippers (42-19) and Denver Nuggets (38-20).
Davis made his long-awaited return from injury as the Lakers went down to the Dallas Mavericks 115-110 on Thursday, scoring four points, grabbing four rebounds, providing one assist and blocking one shot in 17 minutes.
Davis had been absent since February 14 due to tendinosis and a calf strain in his right leg, missing 30 games for the defending NBA champions.
The Lakers were outscored by 13 points during Davis' time on court and he went just two-for-10 shooting, but Vogel said it will take some time for him to get up to full speed.
"He still needs to get his legs under him, as to be expected," Vogel said.
"You can't simulate NBA action on a practice court, so that's what tonight is going to be about. That's what the next few games are going to be about.
"So we anticipate him having some rust and working out some timing while getting his legs back under him. But this is an important first step for sure."
For his part, Davis was excited to be back playing, even if it was a source of frustration having to take a watching brief in the second half.
"I think it was 15-20 [minutes] was the number, it's just tough when you haven't played in two months, you're not going to get close to that 20 mark," he said.
"I felt good out there, I was able to do some things to give the team a little juice. I came out with a good start, it's just tough when you're able to play and then you have got to watch the whole second half and not be able to contribute on the floor. But I think I felt fine for the most part.
"I didn't think about it [the injury] one time tonight, honestly I just went out there and played. I think you kind of limit what you do if you go out there thinking about your injury.
"I just went out there and played, not think about it, and have some fun. I was just excited to be out there with the guys. I had no limits to any moves. That was a good sign for me."
James was ejected for an elbow to Pistons center Isaiah Stewart's eye, which was deemed a flagrant 2 foul, with the incident setting off a wild brawl in the Lakers' rallying 121-116 victory.
Stewart, who was also tossed from the game, was left bloodied from his right eye and incensed, repeatedly attempting to charge at James, having to be restrained and escorted off the court by coaches and team-mates amid chaotic scenes.
James and Stewart had jostled for position for a rebound from Jerami Grant's free throw early in the third quarter, when the four-time MVP's left elbow struck the Pistons big man's eye.
"Everyone in the league knows LeBron's not a dirty dog," said Davis, led the Lakers' comeback with 30 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, five blocks and four steals. "As soon as he did it, he looked back at him and said 'my bad, I ain't try to do it'.
"I don't know what [Stewart] was trying to do. I know nobody on our team, one through to 15, was having it. We wanted to protect our brother.
"I've never in 10 years seen a player try to do that... It was uncalled for. You got a cut above your eye, accidental, it wasn't on purpose.
"We weren't going to allow him to keep charging our brother like that. I don’t know what he was trying to do. We just wanted to get the win for him."
The Lakers were trailing by 12 points at the time of the incident but went on to win behind Davis' big performance on the road.
Davis became the first Laker with a 30/10/5/3/5 game since Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal in 2001.
Russell Westbrook (26 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds) was important down the stretch too, with 15 points, five rebounds and six assists in the fourth quarter alone, as the Lakers dominated with a 37-17 final quarter.
Amid the chaos of the brawl, Westbrook received a technical foul which left him dumb-founded post-game, stating he was an easy target for the referees.
"I didn't know I had a tech… woah, that's interesting," Westbrook told reporters. "For being Russell, I guess? I don’t know why but whatever.
"They had to put it on somebody. I'm an easy person to put s*** on. Why not me?"
Lakers head coach Frank Vogel hailed his side's response to the incident, reeling in the Pistons' game-high 17-point lead to claim a win that helped the championship-chasing franchise improve to 9-9 for the season.
"To me, it's one of those things that can change the momentum of your season," Vogel said. "To see guys rally around a team-mate that just got ejected like that in a strange circumstance.
"We played with incredible guts, started the fourth quarter down by 15. That's the determination that this team is going to need. That's how hard we've got to play to get Ws. "That's a heck of a win for us."
