Skip to Content
Sports

Los Angeles Belongs To the Lakers: Fans Go Wild in DTLA To Celebrate 17th Championship (Photo Essay)

[dropcap size=big]L[/dropcap]aker nation went absolutely wild last night as tens of thousands of fans flocked to Staples Center to witness history as the Lakers won their 17th championship. The win was an emotional one for many fans as it came just months after the tragic death of Kobe Bryant, who led the team to their last championship in 2010.

Chants of Kobe! Kobe! echoed through the streets of downtown L.A. as fans packed the streets, setting off fireworks, drinking beer, burning out with their cars, and climbing up light poles. Los Angeles Times is reporting that at least 76 people were arrested. The celebrations turned violent as videos on social media showed LAPD dispersing the crowds using non-lethal force by the end of the night.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

At Least 13 States Burn In Mexico as Cartel Retaliates Against U.S.-Assisted Federal Killing of ‘El Mencho’

El Mencho was the last of the old guard—the final mass-trafficking titan standing alongside El Chapo and El Mayo—now fallen, marking the end of an era in Mexican organized crime. The era, typified by fame and big names splashed across books, TV shows, and international arrest warrants, began around 1990, the time in which El Chapo rose to prominence.  

February 22, 2026

Sunday Taquitos #16: Child’s Play

Sunday Taquitos! Art by Ivan Ehlers.

February 22, 2026

How Jim Henson’s Forgotten ’90s Puppet Entered Foo Culture and Is Feeding Our Endless Nostalgia Craving

Could the Sesame Street creator have ever imagined Baby Sinclair rocking a pair of Nike Cortez’?

February 21, 2026

Daily Memo: ICE Pepper-Sprays and Throws an 80-year-old Attorney, Arrests a Community Watcher, and Takes Seven From Lompoc

Video shows a couple of agents piled on top of Randamaa, shoving his head to the ground as other community members watched in anger and horror. An 80-year-old attorney trying to advocate for the agents to get off Randamaa was pepper-sprayed in the face by one of the agents pinning down Randamaa with the signature Yoga Cobra Pose. As he was pepper-sprayed, you can see the lawyer throws his hands out while blinded, being eventually thrown to the ground by the Yoga agent. 

February 20, 2026

Weekend Eats: Ramadan Feasts at Maydan, Aguja Tortas In Hollywood, and Goat Machito In East L.A.

new dek: "Plus, a new Hokkaido-style fried chicken sandwich from a ghost kitchen in Pico-Union and a new filet mignon taco in Studio City. "

February 20, 2026

Daily Memo: ICE Used 14 Vehicles to Take 6 People from Rancho Cucamonga Courthouse

So essentially what we’re seeing is that Border Patrol is still active down in San Diego, along with ICE. Here, ICE is operating out of their local offices in Santa Ana and San Bernardino. We also know that people are being taken in Los Angeles who show up for their check-ins. These incidents are hard to catch, observe, or document, but we've confirmed that they're happening.

February 19, 2026
See all posts