The 19th annual Los Angeles Sports Awards showcased the Los Angeles Lakers’ significant presence and achievements. 

LeBron James’s historic achievement of breaking the NBA’s all-time scoring record was voted as one of the top overall sports moments, alongside El Segundo’s triumph in the Little League World Series. Additionally, the Lakers’ victory in the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament was ranked seventh among the top 10 sports moments of 2023 at the awards ceremony.

The NBA’s introduction of the In-Season Tournament aimed to generate more excitement during the early part of the season, and the Lakers demonstrated dominance throughout the tournament. 

Led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the team went undefeated in group play, ultimately clinching the championship with a victory over the Indiana Pacers in the finals. LeBron James was named the first-ever In-Season Tournament MVP, further adding to his illustrious career accolades.

The Lakers’ achievement was celebrated among other notable moments in Los Angeles sports, including Shohei Ohtani’s second AL MVP Award and the Los Angeles Kings retiring Dustin Brown’s jersey. 

The awards ceremony also recognized individuals such as USC women’s basketball guard Juju Watkins and LAFC’s Steve Cherundolo, who received Sportsperson of the Year and Coach of the Year honors, respectively.

In addition to celebrating achievements, the Los Angeles sports community recently bid farewell to Los Angeles Rams star defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who announced his retirement from the NFL. 

Donald’s remarkable career garnered praise from many, including Lakers star LeBron James, who congratulated him on his retirement and acknowledged his dominant impact on the field.