24× Division Champion

Lore & Background

The Lakers won the inaugural NBA Cup on December 9, 2023, by defeating the Indiana Pacers, finishing the In-Season Tournament with a perfect 7–0 record. They finished the regular season 47–35, qualified for the Play-In Tournament for the second consecutive year, and defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 110–106 to reach the playoffs. In the first round, they lost to the defending champion Denver Nuggets 4–1. This was the first time the Lakers lost in the first round since 2021 and the second time LeBron James lost in the first round in his career.

In Their Own Story

The arena lights hummed with a low, electric buzz, casting long shadows across the polished hardwood. A veteran player stood at center court, his eyes tracing the faint scuff marks left by twenty-four previous division champions who had walked this same floor. The crowd was a sea of purple and gold, a roar that seemed to vibrate in the very foundation of the building. He remembered the weight of the banner being raised years ago, the feeling of the championship trophy in his hands, but it was this specific honor—the division title—that felt like the heartbeat of the season. It was the promise kept every single year: that no matter the roster changes or the shifting tides of the league, the Lakers would reign supreme once more.

Reader's Guide

It does not mention Mike D'Antoni or any division title under his tenure.

Did You Know?

• The Lakers held a perfect 7–0 record in the inaugural In-Season Tournament.
• LeBron James switched his jersey number back to #23 for the 2023–24 season.
• A statue of Kobe Bryant was unveiled in front of Crypto.com Arena on February 8, 2024.
• The Lakers fired head coach Darvin Ham and assistant coach Phil Handy on May 3, 2024.