Lakers, Clips preparing to host fans again in April

Ohm Youngmisuk has covered the Giants, Jets and the NFL since 2006. Prior to that, he covered the Nets, Knicks and the NBA for nearly a decade. He joined ESPNNewYork.com after working at the New York Daily News for almost 12 years and is a graduate of Michigan State University.

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LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers are planning to welcome fans back to Staples Center for a game for the first time this season.

The Lakers are finalizing plans to have fans in attendance when they play the Boston Celtics on April 15. The Clippers are planning on fans returning for their home games starting on April 18 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Both teams announced plans for fans to return to Staples Center with the State of California announcing that Los Angeles County has transitioned into the orange tier. The Lakers and Clippers said that they will work with L.A. County Department of Public Health and Staples Center to determine guidelines for hosting fans safely at home games this season. The Clippers said their plan is for “a certain number of fans” to be in attendance at the game against the Timberwolves.

The Lakers and Clippers recently received permission from L.A. County Health Department to have 50 guests at games in accordance with protocols for TV and award show productions in L.A. County.

Starting with the game against Minnesota, the Clippers have six home games that could have fans, including a home game against the Lakers on May 6. With the game against Boston, the Lakers will have nine home games remaining that could have fans in attendance.

ESPN’s Dave McMenamin contributed to this report.

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