Staples Center | featured news

The L.A. County coroner has determined that the death of a toddler who fell from a luxury box at Staples Center after a Lakers game Sunday was an accident.

There was no championship hangover for these Lakers. Kobe Bryant scored 33 points and Andrew Bynum added 26 on his 22nd birthday as the reigning NBA champions opened defense of their title Tuesday night with a 99-92 victory over the Clippers, their Staples Center co-tenants who played without injured No. 1 overall draft pick Blake Griffin.

City attorney plans investigation of $1.4-million bill, but some see long-term gains from global exposure. Hours after the last eulogy to Michael Jackson bounced off the rafters of Staples Center, discussion in Los Angeles civic circles turned to more down-to-earth matters: Were the pop star's death and memorial a net fiscal loss or gain to the city, and should taxpayers get stuck with the tab?

Celebrities praise the late singer's life, and his daughter, Paris Katherine Jackson, delivers a tearful statement to the Staples Center crowd: 'Daddy has been the best father you can imagine.'

Music legends, sports figures, and civil rights leaders paid tribute to Michael Jackson today during an emotional, song-filled service at Staples Center that was part polished entertainment, part revival meeting.

LAPD Chief William J. Bratton said today Michael Jackson's body will be at Staples Center for the memorial service. It was unclear how his body would get from Forest Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary to Staples.

Staples Center will be the site of a public memorial service on Tuesday for Michael Jackson, a publicist for the Jackson family said Thursday, but it is unclear who will pay for the massive law enforcement deployment necessary for the event. A spokesman for the singer's family said 11,000 tickets will be distributed for the 10 a.m. event, which will be free.

Carmelo Anthony scores 34 points and Chauncey Billups adds 27 to steal a win at Staples Center.