Lakers Share Plans to Commemorate NBA In-Season Tournament Championship

The Lakers previously stated the team would only hang NBA championship banners.

The Lakers will unveil a special championship banner to commemorate winning the NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament during their next home game against the Knicks on Dec. 18.

Previously, the Lakers asserted the franchise’s stance that only NBA championship banners would be raised in their home arena. 

The IST banner will be different from the franchise’s NBA title banners hanging inside Crypto.com Arena, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. The add-a-year, in-season tournament banner will be a different shape and color. It will also be the franchise’s only edition of this banner. 

What that means is if the tournament is played again next season and Los Angeles wins it in 2024, the Lakers would merely add a new date for the subsequent win to recognize the newest title. Los Angeles defeated the Pacers on Friday night in Las Vegas behind massive performances from tournament MVP LeBron James and forward Anthony Davis. 

Both Davis and James were named to the league’s first All-Tournament team for their contributions, and the pair will be recognized by the Lakers during the celebration.

James averaged 26.4 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.6 assists while shooting 56.8% from the field and 60.6% percent from three-point range in seven in-season tournament games. The four-time NBA champion also converted more field goals (67) than any other player in the tournament. 

Davis registered 23.3 points, 14.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.9 blocks per game during the tournament. In the IST Final, he posted a massive 41-point performance along with 20 rebounds, four blocks and five assists. 

The Lakers (14–9) resume regular season action on Tuesday with the first of a three-game road trip starting with the Mavericks (13–8) at 7:30 p.m. ET.