Game 3 of the Los Angeles Lakers’ first-round series against the Phoenix Suns was the franchise’s first home playoff game at Staples Center since 2013. Last year’s championship run was special, but throughout it the entire franchise from Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka to Frank Vogel, LeBron James and Anthony Davis have been clamoring for the return of fans.
The atmosphere inside Staples Center was electric even though there were only around 7,500 fans in the building as the Lakers faithful themselves have been itching for this moment as much as the team itself. No one on this current team has experienced a home playoff game with the Lakers and Vogel believes that meant a lot in their Game 3 victory.