Lakers Celebrate Chick Hearn Night in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Lakers will hold their annual Chick Hearn Night on Saturday evening, as they honor their late, long-time broadcaster at their game against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena.

Since the death of Chick Hearn in 2002, the Lakers have commemorated his memory by designating the home game closest to November 27—the anniversary of his birth in 1916—as Chick Hearn Night.

Chick Hearn served as the Lakers’ play-by-play announcer from the inception of their radio broadcasts during the 1961 NBA playoffs until his passing. He is known for coining several iconic basketball phrases, such as «slam dunk,» which have become commonplace not only within the sport but also in everyday language.

Hearn is credited with significantly enhancing the popularity of the Lakers, transforming them from a team that drew only 4,008 fans at their first game in Los Angeles in 1960 into one of the most beloved sports franchises in the United States.

Chick Hearn was recognized for his contributions to the sport by being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.

«He was the best basketball announcer ever,» said Bill Macdonald, the Lakers’ current television play-by-play announcer, praising Hearn’s passion, delivery, cadence, humor, knowledge, love for the team, and honesty. «We were just all lucky to grow up listening to him.»