Dave McMenaminOct 21, 2026, 12:14 PM ETCloseLakers and NBA reporter for ESPN. Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09.Multiple AuthorsOpen Extended ReactionsLakers star Luka Dončić took out a full-page advertisement in the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday, addressing the city and saying “tonight we start our run for a championship.””Every player dreams of holding that trophy,” Dončić wrote. “To do it for all you amazing fans would mean everything to us.”The Lakers last won the championship in 2020 with LeBron James and Anthony Davis leading the way but have completely transformed since then, trading Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Dončić in 2025 and seeing James leave in free agency this offseason to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers.”We have a special team,” Dončić wrote. “We know what you expect, and we are going to do everything in our power to deliver it.”From the moment I arrived in LA, you welcomed me with open arms.
That is something I will never forget.”So here is my promise to you: we are going to give you everything we have, every single night. No excuses. No nights off.”The Lakers open the regular season Wednesday night against the Golden State Warriors (10 p.m. ET, ESPN).Dončić ended the ad by calling for fan participation and attendance this season.”But we cannot do this alone,” he wrote.
“You are the best fans in the world, and we are going to need you. Every game, bring it with us.”
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