Brooklyn Nets coach Kenny Atkinson was visibly shaken and struggled to control his emotions as he spoke Sunday about Kobe Bryant’s death in a California helicopter crash.

Atkinson’s eyes were rimmed with red and brimming with tears as he addressed reporters ahead of a scheduled 6 p.m. game between the Nets and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

“I’m just going to make a brief statement on behalf of the Nets organization. We’d like to express our sincerest condolences to the Bryant family and everybody affected by the tragedy,” he said before letting out a loud sigh.

“As an organization, we’re devastated. Our players are devastated.”

Atkinson let out another big sigh before making a reference to the team’s star guard, Kyrie Irving, who left the arena upon learning that Bryant, a good friend, had been killed in the chopper mishap.

“We have a player who was very close to Kobe,” Atkinson said.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with him also. Just a tough time for the NBA, for all of us. That’s really all I have to say.”

Sunday night’s game would have been Irving’s first in the Garden as a Net.

Last year, when Irving led the Boston Celtics to victory there, Knicks fans expressed hope that his next appearance would be in a home team uniform.

“We want Kyrie!” they chanted.