Introduction
Among the all-time top franchises in the history of the NBA, the Los Angeles Lakers have given basketball fans thousands of memories that would last forever.
From championship championships to individual prowess, Lakers history is full of giant games which have shaped ages and delighted audiences across the world.
In this article, we bring you the top 10 Lakers games of all time, a celebration of the games that have left their imprint in the history of basketball.
- Magic Johnson’s Historic Game 6 – 1980 NBA Finals
- During the 1980 NBA championship series, Magic Johnson led one for the record books. With Kareem Abdul-Jabbar injured, Johnson played center and all five positions throughout the duration of the game.
- Johnson added 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists to the Lakers’ 123–107 championship victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. The game not only revealed the versatility of Johnson but also the start of the “Showtime” era.
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+1 - Kobe Bryant’s 81-Point Masterpiece – January 22, 2006
Kobe Bryant’s shooting ability was released in its entirety when he scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors, the second-highest points in one game in NBA history. - Bryant’s relentless spasm of shots came in the form of 28-of-46 attempts on field goals and 18-of-20 attempts on free-throws as the Lakers defeated their arch-rival 122–104.
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Lake Show Life - The Alley-Oop That Defined an Era – 2000 Western Conference Finals, Game 7
Coming back from a fourth-quarter 15-point deficit against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Lakers made a miracle comeback. - The game-changing moment came when Shaquille O’Neal was passed the alley-oop pass from Kobe Bryant, getting the Staples Center crowd pumped up and earning the game for the Lakers.
- This game led the Lakers into the NBA Finals, and the Lakers won their first of three straight titles.
Los Angeles Times - Robert Horry’s Game-tying Three – 2002 Western Conference Finals, Game 4
In a thriller against the Sacramento Kings, the Lakers had trailed by two with seconds remaining. On a missed shot and rebound, the ball was in Robert Horry’s hands, and he knocked down a buzzer three-point shot to tie the game at 100–99 for the Lakers. - The play turned the series around, and the Lakers eventually won it in a run that led to a third straight championship.
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- Derek Fisher’s “0.4” Miracle – 2004 Western Conference Semifinals, Game 5
Derek Fisher had just 0.4 seconds left on the clock when he was thrown the ball inbounds and launched up a turnaround jumper that went through the hoop to give the Lakers a thrilling 74–73 win over the San Antonio Spurs. - The game-winning stunned shot ranks as one of the all-time greatest shots in NBA playoff history.
Los Angeles Times - Kobe Bryant’s Redemption – 2010 NBA Finals, Game 7
Kobe Bryant came back in a exhausting Game 7 against the Boston Celtics to pace the Lakers past an 83–79 title, their 16th title. Bryant shot 23 and pulled down 15 rebounds for the Finals MVP as the win was redemption of the Lakers’ 2008 Finals defeat by the Celtics. - Shaquille O’Neal’s Domination – 2000 NBA Finals, Game 2
Shaquille O’Neal demonstrated his genius in Game 2 against the Indiana Pacers with 40 points and 24 rebounds. His performance sent the series message, and the Lakers won their first since 1988 championship.
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- LeBron James Wins Lakers Their 17th Championship – 2020 NBA Finals, Game 6
Inside the NBA bubble, LeBron James guided the Lakers to a dominating 106–93 win over the Miami Heat in Game 6 and clinched the franchise’s 17th title. - James’ triple-double effort (28 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists) won him his fourth Finals MVP award and solidified his status as a Lakers legend even more.
Time - Elgin Baylor’s Scoring Feat – 1962 NBA Finals, Game 5
Elgin Baylor also played a textbook game in Game 5 of the Boston Celtics with 61 points and 22 rebounds. The series was lost by the Lakers, but Baylor’s performance is the most scoring in an NBA Finals game.
Lake Show Life - Jerry West’s Half-Court Miracle – 1970 NBA Finals, Game 3
Because the Lakers trailed by two with no second to spare, Jerry West from half-court launched a shot which astonishingly tied the game at the buzzer. - The Lakers eventually lost in overtime, but West’s miracle shot is one of the most well-liked shots in the history of the NBA.
These games immortalized the very nature of Lakers basketball, toughness, stardom, and being able to overcome in clutch time. Every game not only added to the Lakers’ folklore records but shaped itself irreversibly on the very fabric of the NBA.
Note: For more information on these games, such as statistics of the players and the gameplay flow in these games, log on to the official website of the NBA or the Lakers’ historical archive.