Jack Nicholson makes rare appearance at Lakers-Grizzlies

March 2024 · 2 minute read

It feels like all is right in the world when Jack Nicholson is sitting courtside at a Los Angeles Lakers game.

Nicholson, 86, whose public appearances in general now are sparse, was spotted by NBA reporter Rachel Nichols taking his customary seat at the Crypto.com Arena before the Lakers’ 125-85 series-clinching win over the Grizzlies in Game 6 of their first-round showdown.

It marks Nicholson’s first Lakers game since opening night of last season, Nichols tweeted.

As of this past January, Nicholson had not been seen out in public in over a year.

That appearance was Nicholson’s first in over a year, according to Page Six.

Nicholson has long been synonymous with the Lakers, in the same way Spike Lee is with the Knicks, but the legendary actor’s fandom dates even further back.

The three-time Oscar winner has held Lakers season tickets since 1970.

Jack Nicholson, pictured in 1985, has had Lakers season tickets since 1970. NBAE via Getty Images
Nicholson has been a Lakers fan for years, notably during their Showtime and Kobe Bryant eras. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

The actor has been sitting at the courtside ever since — notably during the Lakers’ Showtime era with Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant’s dominance in the late ’90s and 2000s.

He watched decades later in 2016 when the late shooting guard pulled off his legendary 60-point final game in purple and gold.

The 86-year-old also famously adjusted his shooting schedules and personal meetings to keep himself free to catch every big Lakers game.

Nicholson was spotted shaking hands with Larry David, the star of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and co-creator of Seinfeld, before the game.

David was also sitting courtside.

Nicholson was also spotted embracing LeBron James before tipoff, with the two exchanging words before the Lakers superstar continued warmups.

Jack Nicholson is at his first Lakers game in about 18 months for Game 6 versus the Grizzlies. Twitter / Rachel Nichols

The Lakers will play the winner of the Sacramento Kings-Golden State Warriors series in the second round of the NBA playoffs.

The Kings beat the host Warriors 118-99 on Friday night in Game 6 to force a winner-take-all Game 7 Sunday afternoon in Sacramento.

The Grizzlies, already missing big man Steven Adams for what is expected to be the duration of the postseason, were also without sharpshooting forward Luke Kennard, who suffered a shoulder injury during Game 5.

— With Post Wires

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