Los Angeles Lakers Honor UCLA Women's Basketball National Champions at Crypto.com Arena

The UCLA Bruins women's basketball team won the NCAA national championship on Sunday by defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks 79-51. This victory marked the program's first national title. The No. 1-ranked Bruins finished the season with a 37-1 record.

com Arena during their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The honor ceremony occurred at halfcourt at the end of the first quarter. The Bruins waved to the crowd as they were recognized.

Most Outstanding Player Lauren Betts held the national championship trophy during the ceremony.

Senior guard Kiki Rice displayed a Lakers jersey with "UCLA CHAMPS 26" on the back. The Bruins' senior class scored all points in the Final Four and championship games, according to team records. A video from the NBA showed LeBron James, a Lakers forward and four-time NBA champion, standing to the side with his hands over his heart in acknowledgment of the team.

The Lakers entered the game with a 50-29 record and three regular-season games remaining before the NBA playoffs begin on April 18.

They lost to the Thunder 123-87 on Tuesday. LeBron James did not play due to left foot injury management. The Lakers are without guard Luka Doncic, who has a Grade 2 hamstring strain, and guard Austin Reaves, who has a Grade 2 left oblique muscle injury, for the rest of the regular season.

Their availability for the playoffs remains uncertain. The team faces challenges heading into the postseason amid these injuries.