With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
What Happy LA Looks Like: Photos From The Lakers 2020 Championship Win (Before The Tactical Alert)
City Hall is lit up purple and gold in celebration of the Lakers 2020 NBA Championship. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
()
The Los Angeles Lakers brought home their 17th championship on Sunday night, besting the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, 106-93. Then came the revelry.
Despite the city urging people to demonstrate joy at home, Lakers fans took to the streets around Staples Center to celebrate the win. Fireworks lit up the skies. People stuck in traffic jams passed the time by hanging out of car windows cheering, chanting, waving flags, and twirling jerseys. And throughout the night, Kobe Bryant's name echoed in the air like a prayer.
Many fans expressed catharsis. "We needed this," and "this one's for us" were common refrains.
Then came the confrontations between crowds and police. The night took a turn and officers began to use less-than-lethal munitions to disperse the crowds. LAPD said 76 people were arrested.
Support for LAist comes from
Last night’s largely peaceful celebration in Downtown LA of the Lakers championship turned into confrontational, violent & destructive behavior.
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) October 12, 2020
Latest details:
76 arrested
30+ buildings damaged
8 officers injured
2 injured by less lethal munitions fired by our officers pic.twitter.com/BZ2nYWHz3c
A Lakers fan holds a makeshift NBA trophy fron their car's sunroof on Sunday after Lakers won the 2020 NBA Championship. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
()
Lakers fans celebrate in front of the Staples Center on October 11, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. People gathered to celebrate after the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
()
Laker fans take to the streets in downtown Los Angeles to celebrate the Lakers victory over the Miami Heat in the 2020 NBA Championships. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
()
Laker fans congregate outside of Staples Center to celebrate the Lakers victory over the Miami Heat in the 2020 NBA Championships. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
()
A Lakers fan cheers from a car window in the traffic jam created around Staples Center on Sunday Night. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
()
A fan bangs a Lakers' drum in celebration at a gethering in front of Staples Center. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
()
Support for LAist comes from
A Lakers fan holds a Kobe Bryant t-shirt out of their car window after Lakers won the 2020 NBA Championship. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
()
Fans hang out of their sunroofs and car windows sunday night as people gathered throughout Downtown Los Angeles to celebrate the Lakers victory over the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
()
Fans gather around Staples Center after Lakers beat the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
()
Laker fans wave flags from their car windows and sunroof as they drive through downtown Los Angeles. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
()
Laker fans stand on their car celebrating the Lakers victory over the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
()
A family gathers at staples center to celebrate the Lakers winning the NBA Championship. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
()
A quick moving Lakers fan wore a hoodie declaring the Lakers 2020 Champs on Sunday Evening.(Chava Sanchez/LAist)
()
Support for LAist comes from
Laker fans wave flags and cheer in front of Staples Center to celebrate the Lakers Victory over the Miami Heat in the 2020 NBA Finals. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
()
Many fans wore Kobe Bryant Jerseys as tribute on Sunday as they celebrated the Lakers victory over the Miami Heat. Kobe's name was chanted repeatedly throughout the night. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
()
A couple watches the fireworks above Staples Center on Sunday. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
()
Laker fans take to the streets in downtown Los Angeles to celebrate the Lakers victory over the Miami Heat in the 2020 NBA Finals. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
()
Laker fans take selfies outside of Staples Center. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
()
Laker fans start to leave the are as the police begin to disperse the crowds. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
()
LAPD officers moniter the crowds in front of staples center. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
()
Support for LAist comes from
Law enforcement officers prepare to disperse a crowd of Lakers fans near the Staples Center on October 11, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. People gathered to celebrate after the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
()
Law enforcement officers prepare to disperse a crowd of Lakers fans near the Staples Center on October 11, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. People gathered to celebrate after the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
()
Law enforcement officers prepare to disperse a crowd of Lakers fans near the Staples Center on October 11, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. People gathered to celebrate after the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.(Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
()
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
Best of LAist