Fans in Downtown Los Angeles were overjoyed following the victory of the Los Angeles Lakers, winning their 17th NBA Championship on October 11.
The Los Angeles Lakers successfully beat the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, with a score of 106-93.
The game was held at Advent Health Arena in Orlando, Florida, and Lebron James got his fourth NBA Finals MVP Award.
Watch parties were held all over Downtown L.A. including at Dublin’s Irish Whiskey Pub on 7th St., where fans gathered to watch the finals and cheer for their teams.
Lakers fan Alejandro Trejo came to Dublin’s to see the finals for his first time, experiencing what it is like to see his team win the championship.
“I will be excited with joy and all around Los Angeles is going to be filled with excitement that I cannot describe,” Trejo said.
Staples Center and LA Live have remained closed for fans to celebrate due to prevention of COVID-19 and safety of their stores and employees.
Lakers fan Chris Garcia was excited to see his team in the finals and experience the moment that happened 10 years ago.
“After 10 years, the Lakers are at the finals. It’s been 10 years of hell and I’m hoping for this team to win another championship,” Garcia said before the game.
LAPD also arrived to keep control of the fans from getting into trouble and ease the traffic.
Fans flooded the street of Figueroa between 11th and 12th St., celebrating the victory. Fans chanted and celebrated with banners and flags of their team.
Lakers Fan Edwin Gomez experienced the championship win 10 years ago, and yesterday he brought his family to celebrate the championship win.
“This is what L.A. needs right now, and it brings back memories back around 2001, 2002, and hoping to see it again next season,” Gomez said.
Some fans vandalized and threw objects at officers, leading the officers to disperse the crowd out of Staples Center, and 76 arrests were made.
Most of the fans remained peaceful and hoping that next season, the Lakers will win it all again like back in 2010.
