After seven long years, the Los Angeles Lakers are finally back in the playoffs. With their massive 113-103 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, the Lakers officially clinched a postseason berth for the first time since 2013.

Lakers superstar LeBron James led the Lakers on Friday night with 37 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. Anthony Davis, meanwhile, dropped 30 points and nine boards to help Los Angeles hand Milwaukee its 10th defeat of the season.

This isn't really surprising news and it's all just for formality's sake. Everybody expected this from the Lakers the moment they traded for Anthony Davis in the off-season. Nonetheless, getting that official clinch must feel great for a franchise that has gone through a lot over the previous decade.

Over the course of its history, the Lakers have been used to rings and championship banners. However, the 16-time champs experienced some dark times in the 2010's, where they spent more time picking high in the draft lottery than ever before.

The Lakers last made the playoffs in 2013, led by late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. Los Angeles barely made the playoffs that year, but with Bryant's herculean late-season efforts, they sneaked in as the 7th seed. However, with the heavy load that he carried in his age-34 campaign, Bryant suffered a career-altering Achilles injury near the end of the season.

These 2019-20 Lakers may have punched their ticket to the postseason, but they surely are not satisfied with just doing so. Perhaps next on their radar is locking up the top spot in the Western Conference.

Still, getting the no. 1 seed isn't the ultimate goal for this motivated Lakers squad. None of this will matter if they don't win banner no. 17 this June.