If you’re from Los Angeles, you know that this city doesn’t experience sports passively. In the City of Champions, we live them–loudly, painfully, joyfully–like a heartbeat you can feel in the concrete.
In 2025, that pulse failed to slow down. The year unfolded like most do, a long, slow season of emotion, marked by triumphs and turbulences. Dynasties were crowned, legacies were cemented, and reinvention was revisited. And through it all were the moments that felt too big to be scripted and too eventful to be forgotten.
This year banners were lifted into the sky and history bent in unexpected ways. We watched legends say goodbye and new icons arrive. We witnessed championships won not just with pure talent or payroll, but with resilience and heart. Sometimes far from home, sometimes against the weight of expectation that only this city we call home carries.
From more October drama to life-changing shockwaves. From the Fall Classic to courtside confrontations that spill into the cultural maelstrom, 2025 reminded us why Hollywood remains sports’ most compelling stage. Sure, not every moment ended in celebration, but each of them left a mark on us. A memory etched into our minds that we’ll replay again and again in slow motion. Some, we’ll argue over, others we’ll cherish forever.
As the calendar turns, we look back at the moments that defined our year. Fifteen different snapshots that, together, tell the story of a city that never stops chasing greatness, and is never dull for drama.
Here are the top 15 moments in Los Angeles sports in 2025:
15. Dodgers Win the Roki Sasaki Sweepstakes
When Roki Sasaki chose the Los Angeles Dodgers back in January, it felt like another quiet flex from baseball’s most powerful franchise. The Japanese phenom’s rookie season came with growing pains, but October told a different story. Sasaki found himself closing postseason games under blinding pressure, helping deliver a second straight World Series title and turning early skepticism into belief.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 22: (L-R) President and CEO Stan Kasten, Executive Vice President and General Manager Brandon Gomes, President Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman, Pitcher Roki Sasaki and Manager Dave Roberts speaks pose during a Los Angeles Dodgers press conference at Dodger Stadium on January 22, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
14. Chargers Reach the Playoffs in Jim Harbaugh’s First Season
The Jim Harbaugh era arrived with a jolt. After years of drifting, the Los Angeles Chargers rediscovered structure, toughness, and belief, finishing 11–6 and returning to the playoffs. Even with a Wild Card loss in Houston, the foundation was set—and by late 2025, the Chargers were already back in the postseason, chasing something bigger.
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 11: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans and head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Los Angeles Chargers embrace on the field after their game during the AFC Wild Card Playoffs at NRG Stadium on January 11, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
13. LeBron James’ Historic Scoring Streak Ends — The Right Way
Nearly 19 years. That’s how long LeBron James lived in double figures before the streak ended on a December night in Toronto. With history within reach, LeBron chose basketball purity instead—finding Rui Hachimura for a game-winning three at the buzzer. The streak died, but the moment became a masterclass in selflessness.
TORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 4 – Forward LeBron James (23) of the Los Angeles Lakers would score eight points in the game ending his double digit scoring streak at 1297 games as the Toronto Raptors play the Los Angeles Lakers at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. December 4, 2025. Steve Russell/Toronto Star (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
12. Anze Kopitar Announces His Retirement
For two decades, Anze Kopitar was the heartbeat of the LA Kings. So, when the captain announced the 2025–26 season would be his last, it felt like time slowing down. A two-time Stanley Cup champion, Kopitar exits not loudly, but reverently—one of the greatest leaders Los Angeles hockey has ever known.
EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 18: Anze Kopitar of the Los Angeles Kings, accompanied by wife Ines Kopitar and their children, announces he will retire at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season during a press conference on September 18, 2025 at the Toyota Sports Performance Center in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NHLI via Getty Images)
11. UCLA Stuns Penn State Amid Chaos
October 4, 2025, delivered one of the strangest days in college football history. Winless UCLA, fresh off firing its head coach DeShaun Foster, shocked No. 7 Penn State at the Rose Bowl in a 42–37 upset that rippled across the sport. Coaching firings followed, lawsuits were filed, and rumors of a move to SoFi Stadium swirled—but for one night, UCLA owned the chaos.
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 4: Jerry Neuheisel of UCLA Bruins celebrates after the game against Penn State Nittany Lions at Rose Bowl Stadium on October 4, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)
10. King James Confronts Stephen A. Smith
It wasn’t scripted, and it wasn’t subtle. LeBron James confronted Stephen A. Smith courtside during a Knicks vs. Lakers game at Crypto.com Arena, drawing a clear line between criticism and family. The moment went viral instantly, igniting debates across sports media—but at its core, it was a father standing up for his son, reminding everyone that LeBron the dad still comes before LeBron the legend.
Los Angeles, CA – March 03: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers greets ESPNs Stephen A. Smith prior to a NBA basketball game against the LA Clippers at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 3, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)
9. Clippers Collapse: Kawhi Leonard Scandal and Chris Paul’s Exit
Nothing unraveled quietly for the Los Angeles Clippers in 2025. A first-round playoff exit gave way to a stunning scandal involving Kawhi Leonard and alleged salary-cap circumvention. Then came the gut punch—Chris Paul, a franchise icon, sent home and released midseason. It was a year marked by fractures, not banners.
INGLEWOOD, CA – May 1: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers speaks at a press conference after the game against the Denver Nuggets during Round One Game Six of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on May 1, 2025 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)
8. Clayton Kershaw’s 3,000th Strikeout — Then Goodbye
Dodger Stadium rose when Clayton Kershaw recorded strikeout No. 3,000 during the first week of July. Two months later, hearts sank when he announced 2025 would be his last season. Kershaw didn’t fade away—he finished with another World Series ring, closing a Hall of Fame career defined by loyalty, excellence, and grace.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 02: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after striking out Vinny Capra #41 of the Chicago White Sox during the sixth inning to record his 3,000th career strikeout at Dodger Stadium on July 02, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
7. Dodgers Celebrate a Second Straight World Series Parade
Downtown Los Angeles filled again with blue in November. The Dodgers’ back-to-back World Series parade felt louder, freer, and more defiant—proof that greatness wasn’t accidental. From confetti-covered streets to Dodger Stadium speeches, it was a celebration of sustained dominance in a city that demands it.
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 03: Manager Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers holds up the championship trophy during the Los Angeles Dodgers World Series Championship parade on November 3, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Qian Weizhong/VCG via Getty Images)
6. LAFC Signs Son Heung-min
It’s always Sonny in Los Angeles. The City of Champions welcomed a global superstar when LAFC signed Son Heung-min in a record-breaking MLS move. The South Korean icon brought elegance, speed, and star power, instantly elevating the league’s profile. By season’s end, Son had delivered magic—and the MLS Goal of the Year—to the city.
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 27: Heung-Min Son #7 of Los Angeles FC celebrates after scoring a goal against St. Louis City in the second half at Energizer Park on September 27, 2025 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
5. Freddie Freeman Makes World Series Walk-Off History
Six hours. Eighteen innings. One swing. Freddie Freeman’s walk-off homer in Game 3 of the 2025 World Series etched his name into baseball immortality. Already the owner of the first World Series walk-off grand slam, Freeman became the first player ever to do it twice—turning exhaustion into ecstasy on baseball’s biggest stage.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 27: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is congratulated by teammates after hitting a walk-off home run during the 18th inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game three of the 2025 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
4. Rams Play for a City on Fire
Displaced by wildfires, the Rams carried Los Angeles to Arizona with them. In Glendale, they delivered a dominant 27–9 Wild Card win over the Vikings, powered by defense and resolve. It wasn’t just a playoff victory—it was a tribute to a city hurting, watching, and believing.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – JANUARY 13: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams throws a pass during the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings during the NFC Wild Card Playoff at State Farm Stadium on January 13, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
3. Shohei Ohtani’s NLCS Game for the Ages
Shohei Ohtani didn’t just dominate Game 4 of the NLCS—he redefined possibility. Six shutout innings. Ten strikeouts. Three home runs. Baseball had never seen anything like it, and maybe never will again. Ohtani’s masterpiece clinched the pennant and cemented his place among the sport’s immortals.
2. Luka Dončić Is Traded to the Lakers
The NBA world stopped when Luka Dončić became a Los Angeles Laker. The blockbuster deal sending Anthony Davis to Dallas reshaped the league overnight, pairing Luka with LeBron James in Hollywood. It was bold, risky, and unforgettable—the kind of move only the Lakers can make.
Slovenian basketball player Luka Doncic (C) holds up a jersey as he stands alongside Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick (R) and Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka during a press conference introducing Doncic as the newest member of the Los Angeles Lakers, at the UCLA Health Training Center, in El Segundo, California on February 4, 2025. Slovenian star Luka Doncic said February 2, 2025 he thought he’d spend his entire NBA career in Dallas, thanking fans in Texas for making it feel like home a day after the Mavericks abruptly traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
1. Dodgers Win Back-to-Back World Series in a Game 7 Classic
Game 7. Everything on the line. Miguel Rojas tied it with history, Will Smith gave it life, Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered on no rest, and Mookie Betts ended it with a double play. The Dodgers’ comeback win over Toronto crowned them back-to-back champions—the first in 25 years—and sealed 2025 as another chapter in Los Angeles’ reign as the City of Champions.
TORONTO, ONTARIO – NOVEMBER 02: Pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (R) celebrates with teammates after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays, 5-4, in game seven of the 2025 World Series at Rogers Center on November 02, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)