To say Los Angeles Lakers is to mention a piece of the NBA’s richest and most famous history. An iconic franchise with so many stages to remember that it would take pages and pages to trace the entire journey of an organization like few others in the league. A team that, after the worst drought in its history, returned to the playoffs in 2020 and won the 17th ring that allowed him to match with the Boston Celtics on top of the greatest champions.
More: NBA Playoffs: All individual and team records and stats in history.
After a bit of hassle at Play-in, Those in gold and purple return to the postseason with one goal in mind: to grow Larry O’Brien back into the hands of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Next, the detail of the history of the organization in the Playoffs.
Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs by the numbers
- Previous Entries: 63
- Last time: 2021
- Championships won: 17 (1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1972, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 202)
- Playoff Record: 456-305 (best percentage in history, at 59.9%)
- Playoff streak record: 110-45
The individual records of the Lakers in the Playoffs
Most points in a game: Elgin Baylor, 61
- Date: 14/4/1962 vs. Boston.
Most rebounds in one game: Wilt Chamberlain, 33
- Date: 4/4/1971 vs. Chicago
Most assists in one game: Magic Johnson, 24
- Date: 15/5/1984 vs. Phoenix
Most steals in a game: Magic Johnson, 7
- Date: 24/4/1983 vs. Portland
Most blocks in a game: Andrew Bynum, 10
- Date: 29/4/2012 vs. Denver
Most goals in one game: Elgin Baylor, 22
- Date: 14/4/1962 vs. Boston.
Most 3-pointers in a game: Robert Horry and Nick Van Exel, 7
- Date: 5/6/1997 vs. Utah and 5/4/1995 vs. Seattle
Most free throws in a game: Kobe Bryant, 21
- Date: 4/5/2008 vs. Jute
The Lakers’ stacked playoff man
Most games played: Kobe Bryant, 220
- Next: Derek Fisher (193) and Magic Johnson (190).
Most points: Kobe Bryant, 5,640
- Next: Jerry West (4,457) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (4,070)
Most rebounds: Wilt Chamberlain, 1,783
- Next: Elgin Baylor (1,725) and Shaquille O’Neal (1,630)
Most assists: Magic Johnson, 2,346 (NBA record)
- Next: Kobe Bryant (1,040) and Jerry West (970)
Most steals: Magic Johnson, 358
- Next: Kobe Bryant (310) and Derek Fisher (219)
Most Blocks: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 437
- Next: Shaquille O’Neal (310) and Pau Gasol (178)
Most 3-pointers: Kobe Bryant, 292
- Next: Derek Fisher (219) and Michael Cooper (124)
Lakers playoff team record
Most points in one game: 153
- Date: 22/5/1985 vs. Denver
Most 3-pointers in a game: 19
- Date: 9/12/2020 vs. houston
Most rebounds in one game: 81
- Date: 24/3/1961 vs. Seattle
Most assists in one game: 44
- Date: 6/4/1987 vs. Boston
Most Steals in a Game: 19 (twice)
- Date: 19/4/1977 and 4/5/1977 vs. Golden State
Most blocks in a match: 15
- Date: 29/4/2012 vs. Denver
Most wins: 58 difference
- Date: 19/3/1956 vs. St. Louis (133-75)
The story in three moments
The first dominant of the league
The NBA took its first steps and the Lakers, then in Minneapolis, were responsible for establishing initial dominance from the hand of the competition’s first big star: George Mikan. The interior carried that John Kudla team to victory five championships in the organization’s first six seasons: 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953 and 1954, averaging 24.5 points and 14.2 rebounds in those six playoff appearances. The first golden era for the Lakers, who in the Finals beat the Capitols, Nationals and Knicks (the latter twice). Only the Rochester Royals could stop them in the 1951 division finals.
the magical age
The history of the Lakers is in the Picking Magic Johnson #1 in the 1979 Draft the great urge to regain its privileged position in the competition. The point guard completely changed the league and established himself one of the most memorable rivalries of all time against Larry Bird’s Celtics during the 80’s. With Kareem Abdul-Jabbar like a great slope, Los Angeles reached nine Finals between 1980 and 1991, adding five rings, including the first in 1980 with Magic taking Finals MVP as a rookie. The Pat Riley Showtime marked a truly fantastic era for the NBA.
The dynasty of Phil Jackson, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.
A decade after the end of the Magic era, the Lakers are back on top with the great architect who shaped Michael Jordan’s career: Phil Jackson. The legendary coach managed that fantastic team that had Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant as pillars and which defined the last three-time championship in history, with crowns in 2000, 2001 and 2002 against the Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets.
Shaq’s departure caused a drought and additional responsibility for Kobe, who a few years later managed to get rid of the backpack and earn “yourself”. The arrival of Pau Gasol was decisive to give the team what it lacked by arriving three straight Finals between 2008 and 2010, losing the first to the Boston Celtics but retaining the following rings against the Orlando Magic and the Celtics themselvesin revenge mode.
The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the NBA or its organizations.
