It's not easy to recall the storylines and themes that dominated the 2019-20 NBA season prior to its suspension, which seems like eons ago. But the battle for supremacy between the Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers in their home market -- and more largely the Western Conference -- was a highlight. As much as Thursday night was a celebration of basketball's return, it was also a showcase of two of the NBA's most charismatic teams and four of its most dynamic players, lest we forget.
The game's introduction was a collective expression of protest and unity, with players wearing black T-shirts with "Black Lives Matter" etched in white across their chests.