Beyond the Game: Experiencing Lakers Magic Firsthand

 I have been a Lakers fan for many years and have attended five games live before this week. Earlier this week, my friends and I attended the Lakers’ first game of the season against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. We had been excited for weeks for many reasons: seeing LeBron James and my favorite player, Anthony Davis, live, visiting the new Kobe and Gigi Bryant statue, watching the Lakers’ new head coach, J.J. Redick, coach his first official game and witnessing the first-ever NBA father-son duo in LeBron and Bronny James step on the court together.

We arrived at the game around 5:45 p.m., about 15 minutes after the doors opened and a little over an hour before tip-off. Once our tickets were scanned, we were stopped by a man working for the Lakers. He asked us if we wanted to participate in an on-court game. My friends and I couldn’t believe it and immediately said yes. The game was set to occur in the third quarter during a timeout.

As we took our seats, we noticed a Jerry West jersey on every seat in the arena. The Laker legend passed away this summer, and it was a cool item to take home.

The game began, and it didn’t take long for the intensity to grow as Rui Hachimura started the game with a 3-pointer and a dunk over 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert. After that, the Anthony Davis masterclass began.

Near the end of the second quarter, LeBron and Bronny James checked in together for the first time. History was made as they became the first-ever father-son duo to play together in an NBA game. Though it was only a short two-minute stretch, it was amazing to see—not just for the audience, but for the James family, who were in attendance.

As halftime approached, my friends and I walked toward guest services to meet up with the Lakers employee. We went downstairs to the tunnel where celebrities walked by to get to their courtside seats. We watched part of the third quarter from the tunnel, including a monster block by Anthony Davis.

It was then time to walk onto the court for the game. As we walked toward the court, I saw Shams Charania, a long-time NBA insider. I was in shock, but we were told not to speak to the celebrities, so I remained quiet. The on-court game wasn’t anything too crazy. My friends and I had a number, and the screen showed a basketball mixed with two other drinks in a Pro Baller energy drink. The numbered drink that had the basketball was the winner. I was number 2, and that was the winner, so I won free Pro Baller energy drinks for a year.

Walking off the court, I passed right by ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith. I couldn’t believe it but had to keep my cool because of what we were told earlier.

We watched the fourth quarter from our seats as Anthony Davis and the Lakers closed it out, winning 110-103. Davis finished with 36 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 assists. This was such a great experience for my friends and me; we knew the day would be special but could have never imagined being on the actual court. It was truly a dream come true.