The Los Angeles Lakers will return to Staples Center to host the Phoenix Suns in Game 3 of their first-round series on Thursday night. Ahead of that Game 3, the franchise dropped a Staples Center bombshell.

No, the Lakers aren't leaving. Just the opposite, in fact. The team announced an extension of the Staples Center partnership with AEG through 2041:

Lakers owner Jeanie Buss released a statement announcing that significant upgrades would be made to the arena:

“We are excited to extend our partnership with AEG. STAPLES Center ranks as one of the best arenas in the world to play and watch basketball and we are thrilled to be able to call it home for another two decades. The decision was made first and foremost with our fans and players in mind and AEG’s commitment to investing significant capital in the arena means that the Lakers will continue to play in one of the world’s premier venues. From the very beginning, AEG proved to be more than just the best arena operators in our industry, and on a daily basis they continue demonstrating why they are the best partner an organization could ask for.”

The Lakers have called Staples Center home since 1999. The Los Angeles Clippers have also played there since 1999, but while the Lakers are sticking around, the Clippers are building their own arena.

Staples Center has seen a whole lot of history over the last two-plus decades. The Lakers christened the building with a championship in their first season, beating the Indiana Pacers in the 2000 NBA Finals. L.A. has won two championships on its home floor and five total titles since Staples Center opened.

In addition, the Los Angeles Kings won two Stanley Cups on their home ice in the last decade. There have been numerous other big events held at the arena, including the emotional memorial for Kobe and Gianna Bryant in 2020.