The Lakers put an end to over a week of anticipation and jokes on Monday with the grand unveiling of their much-debated in-season tournament championship banner.
With a Dec. 9 win over the Pacers in Las Vegas, the Lakers staked their claim as the inaugural winner of the first-ever NBA Cup, drawing both adulation for the win and criticism over the idea of hanging a non-NBA championship banner.
Ultimately, the 16-time NBA champions decided to honor the IST championship prior to the tipoff of Monday’s home game against the Knicks. Los Angeles’s all-black banner, emblazoned with gold trim, featured the Lakers logo and a picture of the NBA Cup in the middle with 2023 on the side, leaving space for the club to add to its historic win down the line.
Lakers unveil their in-season tournament championship banner 🏆
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 19, 2023
(via @NBATV)pic.twitter.com/0Xg8M7uPwX
Monday’s celebration added a final stamp to the Lakers’ impressive 7–0 showing in the tournament, which saw LeBron James win tournament MVP and turn in some big performances alongside Anthony Davis. Both were named to the first all-tournament team for their efforts.
Currently No. 8 in the NBA’s Western Conference, L.A. will now move forward with its season looking to build off the momentum of their IST triumph. However, the conversation surrounding their choice to reverse its stance on only hanging banners commemorating NBA titles will likely still follow.
