LOS ANGELES — Sunday was almost like a homecoming for Clifford Jung, his wife and two sons. He walked through the LA Live plaza getting ready to head into Staples Center for a playoff game for the first time in eight years.

His family has had Lakers season tickets since the 1960s. They were unable to witness his team’s 17th championship in-person, due to last year's postseason taking place in the Orlando, Florida, "bubble" because of the COVID pandemic. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Lakers playoffs at Staples Center combined with LA Live made for a festive atmosphere in DTLA

  • LA Live had been shut down for much of the pandemic

  • Only 7,500 people were allowed in Staples Center, due to COVID protocols that remain in place

  • The Clippers will host their next playoff game at Staples Center Wednesday night

“It just hurt me because you couldn’t share that moment with them,” Jung said.

Now they are back, along with the rest of the Lake Show faithful, ready to watch playoff basketball.

“It’s awesome,” Jung said. “You see all these fans cheering for the Lakers. People wearing their uniforms, people wearing the Kobe uniforms. People wearing LeBron uniforms. It’s just great to be here. We’re just so excited.”

With COVID-19 protocols still in place, only 7,500 people were allowed into Staples Center for Sunday's game against the Phoenix Suns.

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Still, there were hundreds of Lakers fans who came out just to be part of the atmosphere at LA Live, including Alex Vu, who was enjoying some pizza and basketball at Patxi’s. He had tickets to Game 3, but not Game 4 of the Lakers first round series.

“It’s just fun to be out and celebrate the Lakers with everybody else who’s out here celebrating,” Vu said. “Just enjoy the game and enjoy life.”