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VIDEO SHOWS: HIGHLIGHTS FROM DAY THREE OF THE PAN PACIFIC OPEN  RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT AND SHOTLIST SHOWS: TOKYO, JAPAN (OCTOBER 22, 2025) (WTA/DAZN – See restrictions) VICTORIA MBOKO (ORANGE TOP AND SKIRT/ CANADA) V EVA LYS (GREY TOP AND WHITE SKIRT / GERMANY) FIRST SET 1. MBOKO HITS FOREHAND WINNER 2. MBOKO CELEBRATES 3. LYS HITS BACKHAND WINNER 4. LYS REACTS 5. MBOKO HITS BACKHAND WINNER 6. LYS HITS FOREHAND WIDE, MBOKO TAKES FIRST SET 6-1 7. MBOKO CELEBRATES SECOND SET 8. MBOKO HITS BACKHAND WINNER 9. MBOKO HITS FOREHAND WINNER 10. MBOKO REACTS 11. MBOKO HITS ACE TO WIN MATCH 6-1 6-1 12. MBOKO CELEBRATES 13. PLAYERS MEET AT THE NET/SHAKE HANDS WITH UMPIRE 14. MBOKO CELEBRATES STORY: Canada's Victoria Mboko claimed a straight-sets 6-1 6-1 win over German Eva Lys at the Pan Pacific Open on Wednesday to progress to the quarter-finals. Mboko, who won her maiden WTA Tour title at the Canadian Open in Montreal in August, needed 53 minutes to defeat Lys. The 19-year-old broke in the opening game of the match and dropped just three points on serve to clinch the first set in 25 minutes. She faced one breakpoint in the final game of the second set but was able to defend it with ease and wrap up the victory. Mboko next faces either 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina or 2021 U.S. Open finalist Leylah Fernandez. (Production: Aadi Nair)

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VIDEO SHOWS: HIGHLIGHTS FROM DAY THREE OF THE PAN PACIFIC OPEN  RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT AND SHOTLIST SHOWS: TOKYO, JAPAN (OCTOBER 22, 2025) (WTA/DAZN – See restrictions) VICTORIA MBOKO (ORANGE TOP AND SKIRT/ CANADA) V EVA LYS (GREY TOP AND WHITE SKIRT / GERMANY) FIRST SET 1. MBOKO HITS FOREHAND WINNER 2. MBOKO CELEBRATES 3. LYS HITS BACKHAND WINNER 4. LYS REACTS 5. MBOKO HITS BACKHAND WINNER 6. LYS HITS FOREHAND WIDE, MBOKO TAKES FIRST SET 6-1 7. MBOKO CELEBRATES SECOND SET 8. MBOKO HITS BACKHAND WINNER 9. MBOKO HITS FOREHAND WINNER 10. MBOKO REACTS 11. MBOKO HITS ACE TO WIN MATCH 6-1 6-1 12. MBOKO CELEBRATES 13. PLAYERS MEET AT THE NET/SHAKE HANDS WITH UMPIRE 14. MBOKO CELEBRATES STORY: Canada's Victoria Mboko claimed a straight-sets 6-1 6-1 win over German Eva Lys at the Pan Pacific Open on Wednesday to progress to the quarter-finals. Mboko, who won her maiden WTA Tour title at the Canadian Open in Montreal in August, needed 53 minutes to defeat Lys. The 19-year-old broke in the opening game of the match and dropped just three points on serve to clinch the first set in 25 minutes. She faced one breakpoint in the final game of the second set but was able to defend it with ease and wrap up the victory. Mboko next faces either 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina or 2021 U.S. Open finalist Leylah Fernandez. (Production: Aadi Nair)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

VIDEO SHOWS: HIGHLIGHTS FROM DAY THREE OF THE PAN PACIFIC OPEN  RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT AND SHOTLIST SHOWS: TOKYO, JAPAN (OCTOBER 22, 2025) (WTA/DAZN – See restrictions) VICTORIA MBOKO (ORANGE TOP AND SKIRT/ CANADA) V EVA LYS (GREY TOP AND WHITE SKIRT / GERMANY) FIRST SET 1. MBOKO HITS FOREHAND WINNER 2. MBOKO CELEBRATES 3. LYS HITS BACKHAND WINNER 4. LYS REACTS 5. MBOKO HITS BACKHAND WINNER 6. LYS HITS FOREHAND WIDE, MBOKO TAKES FIRST SET 6-1 7. MBOKO CELEBRATES SECOND SET 8. MBOKO HITS BACKHAND WINNER 9. MBOKO HITS FOREHAND WINNER 10. MBOKO REACTS 11. MBOKO HITS ACE TO WIN MATCH 6-1 6-1 12. MBOKO CELEBRATES 13. PLAYERS MEET AT THE NET/SHAKE HANDS WITH UMPIRE 14. MBOKO CELEBRATES STORY: Canada's Victoria Mboko claimed a straight-sets 6-1 6-1 win over German Eva Lys at the Pan Pacific Open on Wednesday to progress to the quarter-finals. Mboko, who won her maiden WTA Tour title at the Canadian Open in Montreal in August, needed 53 minutes to defeat Lys. The 19-year-old broke in the opening game of the match and dropped just three points on serve to clinch the first set in 25 minutes. She faced one breakpoint in the final game of the second set but was able to defend it with ease and wrap up the victory. Mboko next faces either 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina or 2021 U.S. Open finalist Leylah Fernandez. (Production: Aadi Nair)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

VIDEO SHOWS: HIGHLIGHTS FROM DAY THREE OF THE PAN PACIFIC OPEN  RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT AND SHOTLIST SHOWS: TOKYO, JAPAN (OCTOBER 22, 2025) (WTA/DAZN – See restrictions) VICTORIA MBOKO (ORANGE TOP AND SKIRT/ CANADA) V EVA LYS (GREY TOP AND WHITE SKIRT / GERMANY) FIRST SET 1. MBOKO HITS FOREHAND WINNER 2. MBOKO CELEBRATES 3. LYS HITS BACKHAND WINNER 4. LYS REACTS 5. MBOKO HITS BACKHAND WINNER 6. LYS HITS FOREHAND WIDE, MBOKO TAKES FIRST SET 6-1 7. MBOKO CELEBRATES SECOND SET 8. MBOKO HITS BACKHAND WINNER 9. MBOKO HITS FOREHAND WINNER 10. MBOKO REACTS 11. MBOKO HITS ACE TO WIN MATCH 6-1 6-1 12. MBOKO CELEBRATES 13. PLAYERS MEET AT THE NET/SHAKE HANDS WITH UMPIRE 14. MBOKO CELEBRATES STORY: Canada's Victoria Mboko claimed a straight-sets 6-1 6-1 win over German Eva Lys at the Pan Pacific Open on Wednesday to progress to the quarter-finals. Mboko, who won her maiden WTA Tour title at the Canadian Open in Montreal in August, needed 53 minutes to defeat Lys. The 19-year-old broke in the opening game of the match and dropped just three points on serve to clinch the first set in 25 minutes. She faced one breakpoint in the final game of the second set but was able to defend it with ease and wrap up the victory. Mboko next faces either 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina or 2021 U.S. Open finalist Leylah Fernandez. (Production: Aadi Nair)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

. SPORTS DAILY OUTLOOK – WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 22, 2025 . EXPECTED: . SOCCER-SPAIN-VIL-BAR/MIAMI-REAX – Barcelona fans speak after LaLiga cancelled plans for Barcelona-Villarreal match in Miami, citing "the uncertainty that has arisen in Spain over the past few weeks". LaLiga players stood still for the first 15 seconds of their games over the weekend in a coordinated response by the Spanish Footballers' Association to the league's "lack of transparency, dialog and coherence." EDIT EXPECTED FROM 0930GMT . TENNIS-TOKYO/ – Day three of the Pan Pacific Open – a WTA 500 tournament in Tokyo. EDIT DELIVERY TIME TBA. PLEASE MONITOR FOR UPDATES . GYMNASTICS-WORLD/ – Day four of the 2025 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta. EDIT DELIVERY TIME TBA. PLEASE MONITOR FOR UPDATES . SOCCER-CHAMPIONS-SGE-LIV/ – Eintracht Frankfurt and Liverpool hold press conferences following their UEFA Champions League match. LIVE COVERAGE OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE AVAILABLE ON REUTERS LIVE FROM 2130GMT EDIT EXPECTED FROM 2330GMT . SOCCER-AFCCHAMPIONS-GAN-VIS/ – Gangwon play Vissel Kobe in the AFC Champions League Elite EDIT EXPECTED AFTER 1400GMT . SOCCER-AFCCHAMPIONSTWO-GOA-NSR/ – FC Goa play Al Nassr in an AFC Champions League Two Group D match. Cristiano Ronaldo is not expected to travel to India for the match EDIT EXPECTED AFTER 1745GMT . TENNIS-VIENNA/ – Day three of the Vienna Open – an ATP 500 tournament. EDIT DELIVERY TIME TBA. PLEASE MONITOR FOR UPDATES . TENNIS-BASEL/ – Day three of the Swiss Indoors Basel – an ATP 500 tournament. EDIT DELIVERY TIME TBA. PLEASE MONITOR FOR UPDATES . SOCCER-CHAMPIONS-CHE-AJA/ – Chelsea and Ajax Amsterdam speak to the media following their UEFA Champions League match. ON MERIT . SOCCER-CHAMPIONS-FCB-BRU/ – Bayern Munich and Club Brugge hold press conferences following their UEFA Champions League match LIVE COVERAGE OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE AVAILABLE ON REUTERS LIVE FROM 2130GMT EDIT EXPECTED FROM 2330GMT . SOCCER-CHAMPIONS-RMA-JUV/ – Real Madrid and Juventus hold post-match press conferences following their UEFA Champions League match EDIT EXPECTED AFTER 2330GMT . DELIVERED: . 5705-TENNIS-TOKYO/ – Mboko eases past Lys to enter Pan Pacific Open quarter-finals DELIVERED 0800GMT . 5674-BASKETBALL-NBA-LAKERS – 'Championship or bust': Lakers fans brimming with belief at season opener DELIVERED 0600GMT . 5440-SOCCER-CHAMPIONS-ARS-ATM – Arteta 'extremely happy" after Arsenal thrash Atletico 4-0 in Champions League play DELIVERED 0000GMT . 5441-SOCCER-CHAMPIONS-NEW-SLB – Gordon and Barnes strike as Newcastle outclass Benfica DELIVERED 0000GMT . 5657-SOCCER-CHAMPIONS-LEV-PSG – Clinical PSG demolish Leverkusen 7-2 as two players sent off DELIVERED 2300GMT . 5447-TENNIS-VIENNA – Rublev upset in Vienna, Zverev hangs on to defeatB Fearnley DELIVERED 2300GMT . 5449-TENNIS-BASEL – Shelton wins for first time since shoulder injury, Wawrinka wins in Basel DELIVERED 2200GMT . 5438-SOCCER-AFCCHAMPIONS-HIL-SDD – Al-Hilal get past Al-Sadd 3-1 in AFC Champions League Elite play DELIVERED 2200GMT . 5645-SOCCER-CHAMPIONS-BAR-OLY – Flick all too pleased with 6-1 Champions win over Olympiacos DELIVERED 2100GMT . 5635-SOCCER-SPAIN/MIAMI – Planned Barca v Villarreal match in Miami canceled, says LaLiga DELIVERED 2100GMT . 5604-SOCCER-CHAMPIONS-RMA-JUV/PREVIEW-CONFERENCE – Thuram calls Mbappe the 'best player in the world' DELIVERED 1900GMT . 5473-SOCCER-CHAMPIONS-SGE-LIV/PREVIEW – Liverpool favourites despite losing run, says Eintracht head coach Toppmoeller DELIVERED 1700GMT . 5436-SOCCER-CHAMPIONS-RMA-JUV/PREVIEW – Juve seek to end baron run in Real visit DELIVERED 1700GMT . 5475-SOCCER-CHAMPIONS-FCB-BRU/PREVIEW – Soccer-Coach Kompany is happy with fuss-free Bayern contract extension DELIVERED 1600GMT . 5553-TENNIS-BASEL – Cilic squeaks past Goffin to advance to Round of 16 in Basel DELIVERED 1500GMT . 5525-BASKETBALL-ISRAEL – Top European basketball competitions set to return to Israel on December 1, say organisers DELIVERED 1400GMT . 5437-SOCCER-AFCCHAMPIONS-ULS-SFR – Sanfrecce lose despite dominance in Ulsan DELIVERED 1300GMT . 5497-SOCCER-CHAMPIONS-RMA-JUV-PREVIEW – Courtois slams Villarreal for Miami match DELIVERED 1300GMT . 5432-SOCCER-CHAMPIONS-SGE-LIV/PREVIEW – Liverpool train ahead of Eintracht Frankfurt meeting DELIVERED 1300GMT . 5507-SOCCER-AFCCHAMPIONS-MCY-BUR – Caputo sinks Buriram as Melbourne leave it late DELIVERED 1200GMT . 5429-TENNIS-TOKYO – Mboko beats former US Open champion Andreescu at Pan Pacific Open DELIVERED 1100GMT . 5501-SOCCER-GERMANY-FCB/KOMPANY – Bayern extend deal with coach Kompany to 2029 DELIVERED 1100GMT . 5458-SOCCER-ENGLAND-NFO/DYCHE – Forest hire ex-Everton boss Dyche to replace Postecoglou DELIVERED 0900GMT . 5448-SOCCER-SWEDEN-IFK-MJA/CELEBRATIONS – Minnows Mjallby AIF claim "unreal" Swedish title DELIVERED 0900GMT .. More MLB content is available on Reuters Connect here: https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?sources=mlbimagen . Television Editorial Support / tvsports@thomsonreuters.com Tel: +44 20 7542 2244

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

VIDEO SHOWS: HIGHLIGHTS FROM DAY THREE OF THE PAN PACIFIC OPEN  RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT AND SHOTLIST SHOWS: TOKYO, JAPAN (OCTOBER 22, 2025) (WTA/DAZN – See restrictions) VICTORIA MBOKO (ORANGE TOP AND SKIRT/ CANADA) V EVA LYS (GREY TOP AND WHITE SKIRT / GERMANY) FIRST SET 1. MBOKO HITS FOREHAND WINNER 2. MBOKO CELEBRATES 3. LYS HITS BACKHAND WINNER 4. LYS REACTS 5. MBOKO HITS BACKHAND WINNER 6. LYS HITS FOREHAND WIDE, MBOKO TAKES FIRST SET 6-1 7. MBOKO CELEBRATES SECOND SET 8. MBOKO HITS BACKHAND WINNER 9. MBOKO HITS FOREHAND WINNER 10. MBOKO REACTS 11. MBOKO HITS ACE TO WIN MATCH 6-1 6-1 12. MBOKO CELEBRATES 13. PLAYERS MEET AT THE NET/SHAKE HANDS WITH UMPIRE 14. MBOKO CELEBRATES STORY: Canada's Victoria Mboko claimed a straight-sets 6-1 6-1 win over German Eva Lys at the Pan Pacific Open on Wednesday to progress to the quarter-finals. Mboko, who won her maiden WTA Tour title at the Canadian Open in Montreal in August, needed 53 minutes to defeat Lys. The 19-year-old broke in the opening game of the match and dropped just three points on serve to clinch the first set in 25 minutes. She faced one breakpoint in the final game of the second set but was able to defend it with ease and wrap up the victory. Mboko next faces either 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina or 2021 U.S. Open finalist Leylah Fernandez. (Production: Aadi Nair)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

VIDEO SHOWS: LAKERS FANS AND MERCHANDISE OUTSIDE CRYPTO.COM ARENA / SOUNDBITES FROM FANS SHOWS: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (OCTOBER 21, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) 1. LAKERS FANS WEARING LUKA DONČIĆ (77) AND LEBRON JAMES (23) JERSEYS WALKING  2. YELLOW, PURPLE AND PURPLE, GOLD LUKA DONČIĆ (77) JERSEYS FOR SALE 3. FANS OUTSIDE CRYPTO.COM ARENA 4. LOS ANGELES LAKERS LOGO 5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) 22-YEAR-OLD LAKERS FAN, YONI VILLAGRAN, SAYING: "I mean, it's always championship or bust here. And I mean, we have all this flexibility. One first round, pick two. A lot of inspiring salaries. And I mean, we've got two of the top five NBA players on our team so we've got to be competing for a championship." 6. LAKERS FANS POSING WITH JERSEY 7. PEOPLE ON CROSSWALK 8. LUMINOUS PENDANTS 9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) 41-YEAR-OLD LAKERS FAN, SARDIS RODRIGUEZ, SAYING: "I'm super excited, been waiting, been going to pre-season games and waiting for the real show to start and seeing what our team has to offer this year." 10. FAMILY OF FANS EATING AT A RESTAURANT TABLE 11. DETAIL OF LUKA DONČIĆ (77) JERSEY'S BACK 12. (SOUNDBITE) (English) 41-YEAR-OLD LAKERS FAN, SARDIS RODRIGUEZ, SAYING: RODRIGUEZ: "Skinny Luka, yeah!" JOURNALIST OFF-CAMERA: "What do you make of Skinny Luka? RODRIGUEZ: "It's really exciting what he was doing in pre-season. He was really showing us what he really has to offer and I think he's ready to play. Like it's knowing that he played the Euro Cup, Euro ball this summer. Yeah, he looks good. I'm really excited." 13. FANS SHOPPING FOR JERSEYS AT VENDOR'S STAND ON STREET 14. JERSEYS FOR SALE ON STREET 15. (SOUNDBITE) (English) 22-YEAR-OLD LAKERS FAN, YONI VILLAGRAN, SAYING: "Super excited man, because I came to see Game two of the playoffs last year and I mean, Jackson, he's like a little bit too skinny. We could have any backup pick at the time, so we had to play small ball for like 48 minutes in game five, three or four or five, pretty much. So I mean, having someone who is 7-foot, 260 pounds or whatever he is is great. A big presence inside. It definitely helps." 16. LAKERS HATS FOR SALE 17. CRYPTO.COM ARENA EXTERIOR 18. LAKERS FANS WALKING ON CROSSWALK 19. (SOUNDBITE) (English) 29-YEAR-OLD VENDOR WHO SELLS LAKERS HATS, COLE SPENCE, SAYING: "We're going to win the NBA championship. It's that simple. Luka Doncic in a full season with LeBron James. It's over. It's over. Lakers got this." 20. SPENCER ARRANGING MERCHANDISE AT HIS STAND ON STREET 21. LAKERS HAT FOR SALE 22. (SOUNDBITE) (English) 29-YEAR-OLD VENDOR WHO SELLS LAKERS HATS, COLE SPENCE, SAYING: "I'm expecting him to be the best player in the league this season. He's working on his diet, he's working on his craft and they disrespected him last year and he's coming for the throne. He's coming for the throne." 23. FANS WAITING TO CROSS STREET 24. FANS OUTSIDE CRYPTO.COM ARENA 25. VARIOUS OF CRYPTO.COM ARENA EXTERIOR STORY: Los Angeles Lakers fans voiced strong confidence that their team will capture the NBA championship as they gathered outside Crypto.com Arena ahead of Tuesday's (October 21) season opener against the visiting Golden State Warriors. "It's always championship or bust here," said Yoni Villagran, 22. "We've got two of the top five NBA players on our team so we've got to be competing for a championship," he said referring to Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Season ticket holder Sardis Rodriguez, raised in a Lakers household, said she was eager for the long wait to end. "I've been at pre-season games waiting for the real show to start and see what our team has to offer," she said. Rodriguez said she has high expectations for "Skinny Luka," her nickname for Doncic after his summer weight loss. "It was really exciting what he was doing in pre-season," she said. "He looks good, I'm really excited." Rodriguez also marveled at the longevity of James, who turns 41 on Dec. 30. James missed the season opener due to sciatica in his right side and is not expected to return until mid-November. "I'm 41 and he's got sciatica, so I'm feeling his aches and pains," she said. "What he's doing is amazing because I would be laid out for months. But he's still out there putting on a good show." She too had high expectations for the Purple and Gold, who can tie the Boston Celtics for the most NBA championships with an 18th Larry O'Brien trophy this season. "All the way every year… We're going all the way." Villagran said a stronger interior presence would be key this season, pointing to center Deandre Ayton as an important addition. "Having someone who is 7-foot, 260 pounds or whatever he is is great. A big presence inside. It definitely helps," he said. On the sidewalk adjacent to the arena, vendor Cole Spence, who sells Lakers hats, shoes and mini basketballs at the Swag Shack pop-up, couldn't contain his enthusiasm. "We're going to win the NBA championship, it's that simple!" he said. "Luka Doncic in a full season with LeBron James. It's over! The Lakers got this." Spence predicted a standout year from Doncic, who is among the early favorites to win the MVP Award. "I'm expecting him to be the best player in the league this season," he said. "He's working on his diet, he's working on his craft, and he was disrespected last season. He's coming for the throne." (Production: Sandra Stojanovic, Rory Carroll, Ivan Romero)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

VIDEO SHOWS: LAKERS FANS AND MERCHANDISE OUTSIDE CRYPTO.COM ARENA / SOUNDBITES FROM FANS SHOWS: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (OCTOBER 21, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) 1. LAKERS FANS WEARING LUKA DONCIC (77) AND LEBRON JAMES (23) JERSEYS WALKING  2. YELLOW, PURPLE AND PURPLE, GOLD LUKA DONCIC (77) JERSEYS FOR SALE 3. FANS OUTSIDE CRYPTO.COM ARENA 4. LOS ANGELES LAKERS LOGO 5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) 22-YEAR-OLD LAKERS FAN, YONI VILLAGRAN, SAYING: "I mean, it's always championship or bust here. And I mean, we have all this flexibility. One first round, pick two. A lot of inspiring salaries. And I mean, we've got two of the top five NBA players on our team so we've got to be competing for a championship." 6. LAKERS FANS POSING WITH JERSEY 7. PEOPLE ON CROSSWALK 8. LUMINOUS PENDANTS 9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) 41-YEAR-OLD LAKERS FAN, SARDIS RODRIGUEZ, SAYING: "I'm super excited, been waiting, been going to pre-season games and waiting for the real show to start and seeing what our team has to offer this year." 10. FAMILY OF FANS EATING AT A RESTAURANT TABLE 11. DETAIL OF LUKA DONCIC (77) JERSEY'S BACK 12. (SOUNDBITE) (English) 41-YEAR-OLD LAKERS FAN, SARDIS RODRIGUEZ, SAYING: RODRIGUEZ: "Skinny Luka, yeah!" JOURNALIST OFF-CAMERA: "What do you make of Skinny Luka? RODRIGUEZ: "It's really exciting what he was doing in pre-season. He was really showing us what he really has to offer and I think he's ready to play. Like it's knowing that he played the Euro Cup, Euro ball this summer. Yeah, he looks good. I'm really excited." 13. FANS SHOPPING FOR JERSEYS AT VENDOR'S STAND ON STREET 14. JERSEYS FOR SALE ON STREET 15. (SOUNDBITE) (English) 22-YEAR-OLD LAKERS FAN, YONI VILLAGRAN, SAYING: "Super excited man, because I came to see Game two of the playoffs last year and I mean, Jackson, he's like a little bit too skinny. We could have any backup pick at the time, so we had to play small ball for like 48 minutes in game five, three or four or five, pretty much. So I mean, having someone who is 7-foot, 260 pounds or whatever he is is great. A big presence inside. It definitely helps." 16. LAKERS HATS FOR SALE 17. CRYPTO.COM ARENA EXTERIOR 18. LAKERS FANS WALKING ON CROSSWALK 19. (SOUNDBITE) (English) 29-YEAR-OLD VENDOR WHO SELLS LAKERS HATS, COLE SPENCE, SAYING: "We're going to win the NBA championship. It's that simple. Luka Doncic in a full season with LeBron James. It's over. It's over. Lakers got this." 20. SPENCER ARRANGING MERCHANDISE AT HIS STAND ON STREET 21. LAKERS HAT FOR SALE 22. (SOUNDBITE) (English) 29-YEAR-OLD VENDOR WHO SELLS LAKERS HATS, COLE SPENCE, SAYING: "I'm expecting him to be the best player in the league this season. He's working on his diet, he's working on his craft and they disrespected him last year and he's coming for the throne. He's coming for the throne." 23. FANS WAITING TO CROSS STREET 24. FANS OUTSIDE CRYPTO.COM ARENA 25. VARIOUS OF CRYPTO.COM ARENA EXTERIOR STORY: Los Angeles Lakers fans voiced strong confidence that their team will capture the NBA championship as they gathered outside Crypto.com Arena ahead of Tuesday's (October 21) season opener against the visiting Golden State Warriors. "It's always championship or bust here," said Yoni Villagran, 22. "We've got two of the top five NBA players on our team so we've got to be competing for a championship," he said referring to Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Season ticket holder Sardis Rodriguez, raised in a Lakers household, said she was eager for the long wait to end. "I've been at pre-season games waiting for the real show to start and see what our team has to offer," she said. Rodriguez said she has high expectations for "Skinny Luka," her nickname for Doncic after his summer weight loss. "It was really exciting what he was doing in pre-season," she said. "He looks good, I'm really excited." Rodriguez also marveled at the longevity of James, who turns 41 on Dec. 30. James missed the season opener due to sciatica in his right side and is not expected to return until mid-November. "I'm 41 and he's got sciatica, so I'm feeling his aches and pains," she said. "What he's doing is amazing because I would be laid out for months. But he's still out there putting on a good show." She too had high expectations for the Purple and Gold, who can tie the Boston Celtics for the most NBA championships with an 18th Larry O'Brien trophy this season. "All the way every year… We're going all the way." Villagran said a stronger interior presence would be key this season, pointing to center Deandre Ayton as an important addition. "Having someone who is 7-foot, 260 pounds or whatever he is is great. A big presence inside. It definitely helps," he said. On the sidewalk adjacent to the arena, vendor Cole Spence, who sells Lakers hats, shoes and mini basketballs at the Swag Shack pop-up, couldn't contain his enthusiasm. "We're going to win the NBA championship, it's that simple!" he said. "Luka Doncic in a full season with LeBron James. It's over! The Lakers got this." Spence predicted a standout year from Doncic, who is among the early favorites to win the MVP Award. "I'm expecting him to be the best player in the league this season," he said. "He's working on his diet, he's working on his craft, and he was disrespected last season. He's coming for the throne." (Production: Sandra Stojanovic, Rory Carroll, Ivan Romero)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)