Los Angeles Lakers make special announcement regarding UCLA Bruins
The Lakers celebrated UCLA Bruins' first women's basketball national championship with an on-court honor during Tuesday's game vs. Oklahoma City Thunder.
UCLA coach Cori Close calling a play during a free-throw during an NCAA women's basketball game against Southern University, Friday March 21, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif The Los Angeles Lakers honored the UCLA Bruins for their first national title. The Bruins’ team was recognized during Tuesday’s game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder, because the women’s basketball team had won its first national championship. The Bruins defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks 79–51 on Sunday in Phoenix, Arizona.
ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin shared the news on X (Twitter), writing : “The UCLA Women’s Basketball 2026 NCAA National Championship team will be in attendance for tonight’s Lakers-Thunder game and be honored on the court for their title win over South Carolina. ” In a city like Los Angeles, where basketball is taken extremely seriously, the tribute clip was immediately shared by espnW with the caption: “The Lakers celebrated UCLA's championship win 🏆 💛” The Lakers celebrated UCLA's championship win 🏆 💛 pic. twitter.
com/btvgdEP7S3 — espnW (@espnW) April 8, 2026 Mission accomplished for UCLA - Gabriela Jaquez, Lauren Betts, and the rest of the UCLA seniors secured the first NCAA women’s basketball national championship in school history. In the closing minutes of the game, players on the bench were already smiling through tears because they knew what they had accomplished. The champs are here!
The Lakers honor UCLA Women’s basketball team after winning the 2026 NCAA tournament pic. twitter. com/ullOVNxdM7 — Michael J.