In their 78 years with the NBA, the Los Angeles Lakers have made 64 playoff appearances and captured 17 championships. So it’s no surprise their postseason victories are some of the most unforgettable performances in league history. Here are 15 of these remarkable moments that truly stand above the rest.
1985 NBA Finals, Game 6 Against Boston Celtics
For decades, the Celtics dominated their rivalry with the Lakers, but that all changed in 1985. In Game 6 of the NBA Finals, 38-year-old Kareem Abdul-Jabbar delivered 29 points, using his signature skyhook over Robert Parish to seal the game. This shattered the Celtics’ long-standing hold over the Lakers in a 111-100 win.
2009 NBA Finals, Game 4 Against the Orlando Magic
In Game 4 of the 2009 Finals, Derek Fisher proved that the game is never over until the final buzzer. After Dwight Howard missed two free throws, Fisher tied the game with a three-pointer. Moments later, he struck another clutch three, winning the game 99-91 and setting the tone for the Lakers’ 15th championship.
2000 Western Conference Finals, Game 7 Against the Portland Trail Blazers
Facing a 16-point deficit against the TrailBlazers in Game 7, the Lakers needed a miracle. Then came Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal to give the team a stunning comeback with an 89-84 victory. Their trip to the NBA Finals was certain, and five more NBA championships were just in view.
2006 Western Conference Quarterfinals, Game 4 Against the Phoenix Suns
Kobe Bryant’s single-handed effort in Game 4 against the Phoenix Suns was invaluable to this playoff win. First, he tied the game with a buzzer-beater. Then, in overtime, he secured a narrow 99-98 win with another shot after a jump ball, sending the Staples Center into a frenzy.
1980 NBA Finals, Game 6 Against the Philadelphia 76ers
With Kareem Abdul-Jabbar out with an injury, rookie Magic Johnson replaced him as center against the 76ers in Game 6. Johnson’s legendary performance—42 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists—led the Lakers to the championship. This game was the birth of Magic’s legacy and a defining moment in Lakers’ history.
2004 NBA Finals, Game 2 Against the Detroit Pistons
Although the Lakers ultimately lost the 2004 Finals, Game 2 provided one last glimpse of Kobe Bryant’s magic during the Shaq-Kobe era. With time running out, Kobe drilled a contested three-pointer to send the game into overtime. The Lakers eventually won 99-91, keeping their championship hopes alive for one more night.
2002 Western Conference Finals, Game 4 Against the Sacramento Kings
Down two in the final seconds of Game 4, Robert Horry found himself in the right place at the right time. After Shaquille O’Neal’s missed putback, the ball bounced to Horry, who calmly drained a three-pointer, surpassing the Kings 100-99. Thanks to this close victory, the Lakers ultimately won their 14th title.
2010 NBA Finals, Game 7 Against the Boston Celtics
The rivalry between the Lakers and the Celtics reached its boiling point in Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals. In a gritty, hard-fought game, Bryant, Fisher, and Pau Gasol clawed their way to an 83-79 victory, securing their 16th championship and avenging their 2008 Finals defeat to the Celtics.
2010 Western Conference Finals, Game 5 Against the Phoenix Suns
After missing two key shots late in game 5, Ron Artest’s subsequent performance was nothing short of redemption. He grabbed an offensive rebound off Kobe Bryant’s airball and banked in the game-winning layup as time expired. His last-second heroics propelled the Lakers to a 103-101 victory and straight into the Finals.
1962 NBA Finals, Game 3 Against the Boston Celtics
Known as “Mr. Clutch,” Jerry West lived up to his nickname in Game 3 of the 1962 NBA Finals. West intercepted a pass with the game tied and raced down the court for a game-winning layup. Though the Celtics won the series 4-3 this game solidified West’s reputation as one of the NBA’s most outstanding clutch players.
1970 NBA Finals, Game 3 Against the New York Knicks
In a classic Finals matchup against the New York Knicks, the Lakers emerged victorious in Game 3 behind the heroics of Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain. West’s 34 points and Chamberlain’s 26 rebounds allowed the Lakers to take control of the series, though they ultimately lost to the Knicks 4-3.
2000 NBA Finals, Game 4 Against the Indiana Pacers
During Game 4 of the 2000 NBA Finals, Kobe Bryant returned from an injury to lead the Lakers to an overtime victory against the Indiana Pacers. Shaquille O’Neal’s 36 points, coupled with Bryant’s five assists and key baskets in overtime, helped secure the 120-118 win, and a 4-2 series lead.
2010 Western Conference First Round, Game 6 Against the Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder were in a close contest with the Lakers with the series at 2-3, but in Game 6 of the first round, the Lakers showed their championship mettle. Bryant’s 32 points and Pau Gasol’s last-minute shot sealed the series for Los Angeles 4-3 and secured their 16th NBA title.
1987 NBA Finals, Game 4 Against the Boston Celtics
In one of the most iconic moments of Magic Johnson’s career, he helped Los Angeles defeat Boston in the 1987 Finals in just seven seconds. The Lakers commanded the series, 3-1, and by Game 6, they stole the show 4-2, preventing Boston from yielding the trophy twice in a row.
2004 Western Conference, Game 5 Against the San Antonio Spurs
The semifinals felt like a Spurs victory after Tim Duncan’s fadeaway over Shaquille O’Neal tied the game with just 0.4 seconds left to play. However, in the blink of an eye, Derek Fisher caught the inbounds pass and hit an incredible shot. This snatched a dramatic 74-73 win for the Lakers.