Report: Phil Jackson unable to attend Kobe's retirement ceremony

A key figure from Kobe Bryant's past won't be present when he has his No. 8 and 24 hoisted to the rafters at Staples Center.

Phil Jackson is reportedly unable to travel from his home in Montana to attend Bryant's jersey retirement ceremony, which takes place at halftime of the Golden State Warriors-Los Angeles Lakers game Monday night, league sources told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.

The two have recently been in contact, though, with Jackson reportedly reaching out to Bryant to congratulate him ahead of his big day.

Jackson was the head coach of the Lakers for all five of Bryant's NBA championships (2000-2002, 2009, 2010).

Bryant said back in October that when he eventually gets enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame, Jackson would be one of two people (Michael Jordan being the other) he would want to induct him, calling The Zen Master one of his "greatest mentors."