WATCH: Freddie Freeman's walk-off grand slam in World Series opener steals the thunder during Suns-Lakers clash
The influence of the highly-anticipated Game 1 of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees continues to flex its muscle. The Dodgers got the better of the Yankees in extra innings after Freddie Freeman's history-making walk-off grand slam.
One of the events and places wherein MLB's biggest event crossed into was the NBA. The biggest basketball league in the world recently started its regular season, and in the match between hosts Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns at Crypto.com Arena, the big screens showed the winning play in Game 1 of the World Series.
"Fans in LA for Suns-Lakers reacted to Freddie Freeman's walk-off grand slam to win Game 1 of the #WorldSeries" - ESPN on X.
The center screens in the arena showed the moment Yankees lefty Nestor Cortes Jr. delivered an easy fastball toward Freeman, with the latter smashing it to right field to end the game. Fans in the arena were seen cheering for their hometown Dodgers.
Interestingly enough, like the Dodgers, the Lakers came from behind to score a victory over the Phoenix Suns. LeBron James and Co. were down 35-55 at one point, but the team rallied back in the second half, winning 123-116.
Freddie Freeman's historic World Series home run
For the first time in the 120 editions of the World Series, a walk-off grand slam has been hit on baseball's biggest stage. Freddie Freeman's name will forever be etched in history as the maker of the feat as he powered the Dodgers while trailing 2-3 in the bottom of the tenth inning.
The hobbled first baseman stepped up to the plate after the Yankees chose to walk Mookie Betts, who preceded him. Freeman has been nursing a bad right ankle he incurred in the regular season closer.
With the bases loaded and the fresh Nestor Cortes Jr. on the mound, Freeman uncorked a bomb at the first pitch he saw to right field, reminiscent of the legendary Kirk Gibson's feat in the 1988 World Series against the Athletics.
The Dodgers will aim to register a commanding 2-0 lead tonight before the series shifts to New York City.