The Los Angeles Lakers celebrated a unique moment in their storied history by raising the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament banner at Crypto.com Arena. The banner honors the team’s victory in the first-ever tournament, a new mid-season event designed to add excitement to the NBA schedule. With Anthony Davis playing a pivotal role in the championship game, the Lakers marked this achievement in a ceremony before their game against the New York Knicks in December 2023.
LlAlthough the Lakers franchise typically reserves banners for NBA championships, the team chose to recognize the In-Season Tournament victory with a special banner. This decision was somewhat unexpected given the franchise’s tradition of only celebrating titles with banners. However, the Lakers made sure to differentiate this new banner by using a distinct design and color, ensuring it would not be confused with the team’s NBA championship banners.
LeBron James, who was named the In-Season Tournament MVP, shared his excitement about the banner being raised, noting its significance as a recognition of the team’s early-season success. James remarked that it was “awesome” to acknowledge victories in the long NBA season, and he was proud to celebrate the moment with the fans who were unable to attend the tournament in Las Vegas.
Anthony Davis, who was instrumental in the Lakers’ victory in the final against the Indiana Pacers, also expressed his appreciation for the banner. He emphasized that this event should become a tradition, with future banners for subsequent tournament championships. Davis also noted that the inaugural win would remain a significant part of Lakers history, as it marked the team’s dominance in the new competition.
Austin Reaves, a key contributor to the Lakers’ victory, also weighed in on the banner celebration. While he was excited about the honor, Reaves quickly turned his focus to winning another banner—this time for the NBA championship. For him, the In-Season Tournament was a stepping stone, and he now shifts his sights on bigger goals for the team.
The Lakers’ decision to create a banner for the In-Season Tournament could set a precedent for other teams in the future. With a banner that can accommodate future tournament wins, the Lakers’ initiative might inspire other franchises to follow suit, especially if the tournament becomes a permanent fixture in the NBA schedule.
