Staples Center

It’s been a long 2021 and it’s drawing to a close. Here’s a look back at some of the biggest local stories around Southern California from this past year.

The Lakers play their final game Friday night in Staples Center before the venue they called home for 22 years changes its name to Crypto.com Arena.

Crews were seen outside the soon-to-be Crypto.com Arena on Monday morning, removing the iconic Staples Center lettering, logos and signage.

Crypto.com Arena will replace STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, but the new name might take some getting used to, just like these other memorable venues.

The downtown Los Angeles arena has been called the Staples Center since its opening in 1999.

The home of the Lakers is getting a new name on Christmas Day. Jonathan Gonzalez reports for Today in LA on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021.

The official home of the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers, the NHL’s LA Kings and the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks will be renamed Dec. 25.

A crime scene in DTLA escalated into more than just a hit-and-run. Robert Kovacik reports for NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Sept., 2, 2021.

The Clippers will take to the Staples Center court Friday night hoping to earn a trip to the NBA’s Western Conference Finals, and the arena will be open for full-capacity seating for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

The Lakers will host the Boston Celtics Thursday night at Staples Center, where fans will greet the storied franchise for the first time in more than a year.

Fans are days away from being back inside Staples, with new safety measures. John Cadiz Klemack reports April 13, 2021.

Los Angeles County on Thursday will begin allowing attendance at indoor sporting events, theater performances, concerts and conferences, but the county will impose a stricter capacity limit at large event venues — such as Staples Center — than the state guidelines.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti spoke about the idea of vaccine passports being used to get fans back in the stands for indoor sporting events, on Monday, March 15, 2021.

Undercover officers were keeping an eye on crowds near Staples Center the night of the election Tuesday, where several people were detained after they were seen wearing all black.

LAPD declared an unlawful assembly to disperse a crowd near Staples Center. Christine Kim reported on NBC4 News on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.

An unlawful assembly was declared and the crowd was dispersed. Christine Kim reported on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.

Some people lined up for hours ahead of opening to vote at Staples Center. Mekahlo Medina reported on NBC4 News on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.

Los Angeles City Hall and Staples Center will be lit up in purple Monday night to recognize International Overdose Awareness Day which seeks to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug- related death. The day also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have died or had a permanent injury as a…

Staples Center will serve as a polling place for the November election, part of a series of initiatives the NBA is rolling out after the players protest. Mekahlo Medina reports Aug. 30, 2020.