Get ready for a special moment of Los Angeles basketball pride this Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. During their matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Los Angeles Lakers will pause at the end of the first quarter to honor a historic local achievement: the UCLA women's basketball team's first-ever NCAA national championship.

The top-seeded Bruins cemented their legendary season this past Sunday, capturing the title with a commanding 79-51 victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks. This win wasn't just decisive; it marked the third-largest margin of victory in the history of the NCAA women's championship game, showcasing UCLA's sheer dominance.

Their championship run was nothing short of spectacular. The Bruins steamrolled through the Final Four in Phoenix, never trailing against powerhouse opponents. They avenged their only loss of the season by defeating Texas in the semi-finals before overwhelming South Carolina to claim the program's long-awaited crown.

This celebration underscores the deep connection between LA's professional and collegiate sports scenes. For fans who can't make it to the Lakers game, UCLA will host a free public celebration at Pauley Pavilion on Wednesday night to properly fete their champions.