The Los Angeles Lakers are widely known to be one of the most successful franchises in the history of the NBA. With the popular Staples Center (Now Crypto.com Arena) as their home stadium, the Lakers have been crowned the kings of Los Angeles in the basketball world.
Owned by the Buss family, the Lakers are an epitome of rich basketball culture, excellence, dedication, success, entertainment and glamor. Throughout their history, the Lakers have witnessed Hall of Famers like Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, Magic Johnson, James Worthy and Kobe Bryant adorn the purple and gold jersey.
With numerous NBA titles to their name, the Los Angeles Lakers continue to define basketball glory, success and dedication presently through the leadership of Lebron James.
How many championships have the Los Angeles Lakers won?
The Los Angeles Lakers have won 17 NBA championships so far. Their first NBA championship was earned in the 1948-49 NBA season. The Lakers won five championships during the early years of the NBA, when they were being led by George Mikan.
The Lakers’ illustrious history of NBA championships spans decades of success in basketball with eras of dominance. Such instances of dominance include the Magic-Kareem era, Kobe-Shaq era and most recently, the revitalization of the Lakers as a winning team during the era of Lebron James.
The Lakers secured 5 titles during the Magic-Kareem era and they are amongst the very few teams to have three-peated an NBA championship. The Lakers three-peated during the Kobe-Shaq era. The team shares the record for most number of NBA titles won by an NBA franchise with the Boston Celtics.
| Team Name | Head Coach | Against | Final Date and Year | Venue | ‘Team Name’ Wins/Losses by Game in Series |
| Los Angeles Lakers | John Kundla | Washington Capitals | April 10, 1949 | Auditorium Arena | Lakers won 4-2 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | John Kundla | Syracuse Nationals | April 21, 1950 | Minneapolis Auditorium | Lakers won 4-2 |
| Los Angeles LakeLos Angeles Lakers | John Kundla | New York Knicks | April 13, 1952 | Minneapolis Auditorium | Lakers won 4-3 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | John Kundla | New York Knicks | April 12, 1953 | Minneapolis Auditorium | Lakers won 4-1 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | John Kundla | Syracuse Nationals | April 10, 1954 | Minneapolis Auditorium | Lakers won 4-3 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | Bill Sharman | New York Knicks | May 07, 1972 | The Forum | Lakers won 4-1 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | Paul Westhead | Philadelphia 76ers | May 16, 1980 | The Spectrum | Lakers won 4-2 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | Pat Riley | Philadelphia 76ers | June 03, 1982 | The Forum | Lakers won 4-2 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | Pat Riley | Boston Celtics | June 09, 1985 | Boston Garden | Lakers won 4-2 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | Pat Riley | Boston Celtics | June 14, 1987 | The Forum | Lakers won 4-2 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | Pat Riley | Detroit Pistons | June 21, 1988 | The Forum | Lakers won 4-3 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | Phil Jackson | Indiana Pacers | June 19, 2000 | Staples Center | Lakers won 4-2 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | Phile Jackson | Philadelphia 76ers | June 15, 2001 | First Union Center | Lakers won 4-1 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | Phil Jackson | New Jersey Nets | June 12, 2002 | Continental Airlines Arena | Lakers won 4-0 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | Phil Jackson | Orlando Magic | June 14, 2009 | Amway Arena | Lakers 4-1 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | Phil Jackson | Boston Celtics | June 17, 2010 | Staples Center | Lakers won 4-3 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | Frank Vogel | Miami Heat | October 11, 2020 | AdventHealth Arena | Lakers won 4-2 |
Los Angeles Lakers Finals Appearance History
The Los Angeles Lakers hold the record for the most number of finals appearances in NBA history. The widely celebrated NBA franchise has a shocking 32 finals appearances so far. Renowned for dominating the league, the Lakers have won the championship 17 times making them one of two most successful NBA franchises.
The Lakers have shown consistent excellence throughout their history in the NBA starting from their inception into the league as the Minneapolis Lakers to their present day selves.
The Lakers have been tried and tested several times against iconic NBA teams such as the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons and have emerged victorious. Even today, the Lakers continue to captivate fans around the world with shocking displays of basketball skill and star power.
| Year | Head Coach | Against | Venue | Result |
| 1949 | John Kundla | Washington Capitals | Minneapolis Auditorium | Lakers won 4-2 |
| 1950 | John Kundla | Syracuse Nationals | Minneapolis Auditorium | Lakers won 4-2 |
| 1952 | John Kundla | New York Knicks | Minneapolis Auditorium | Lakers won 4-3 |
| 1953 | John Kundla | New York Knicks | Minneapolis Auditorium | Lakers won 4-1 |
| 1954 | John Kundla | Syracuse Nationals | Minneapolis Auditorium | Lakers won 4-3 |
| 1959 | John Kundla | Boston Celtics | Boston Garden | Lakers lost 0-4 |
| 1962 | Fred Schaus | Boston Celtics | Boston Garden | Lakers lost 3-4 |
| 1963 | Fred Schaus | Boston Celtics | Boston Garden | Lakers lost 3-4 |
| 1965 | Fred Schaus | Boston Celtics | Boston Garden | Lakers lost 1-4 |
| 1966 | Fred Schaus | Boston Celtics | Boston Garden | Lakers lost 3-4 |
| 1968 | Butch Van Breda Kolff | Boston Celtics | The Forum | Lakers lost 3-4 |
| 1969 | Butch Van Breda Kolff | Boston Celtics | The Forum | Lakers lost 3-4 |
| 1970 | Joe Mullaney | New York Knicks | Madison Square Garden | Lakers lost 3-4 |
| 1972 | Bill Sharman | New York Knicks | The Forum | Lakers won 4-1 |
| 1973 | Bill Sharman | New York Knicks | Madison Square Garden | Lakers lost 1-4 |
| 1980 | Paul Westhead | Philadelphia 76ers | The Spectrum | Lakers won 4-2 |
| 1982 | Pat Riley | Philadelphia 76ers | The Forum | Lakers won 4-2 |
| 1983 | Pat Riley | Philadelphia 76ers | The forum | Lakers lost 0-4 |
| 1984 | Pat Riley | Boston Celtics | Boston Garden | Lakers lost 3-4 |
| 1985 | Pat Riley | Boston Celtics | Boston Garden | Lakers lost 2-4 |
| 1987 | Pat Riley | Boston Celtics | Boston Garden | Lakers lost 2-4 |
| 1988 | Pat Riley | Detroit Pistons | The Forum | Lakers won 4-3 |
| 1989 | Pat Riley | Detroit Pistons | The Forum | Lakers lost 0-4 |
| 1991 | Mike Dunleavy | Chicago Bulls | Chicago Stadium | Lakers lost 1-4 |
| 2000 | Phil Jackson | Indiana Pacers | Staples Center | Lakers won 4-2 |
| 2001 | Phil Jackson | Philadelphia 76ers | Staples Center | Lakers won 4-1 |
| 2002 | Phil Jackson | New Jersey Nets | Staples Center | Lakers won 4-0 |
| 2004 | Phil Jackson | Detroit Pistons | The Palace of the Auburn Hills | Lakers lost 1-4 |
| 2008 | Phil Jackson | Boston Celtics | TD Garden | Lakers lost 2-4 |
| 2009 | Phil Jackson | Orlando Magic | Staples Center | Lakers won 4-1 |
| 2010 | Phil Jackson | Boston Celtics | Staples Center | Lakers won 4-3 |
| 2020 | Frank Vogel | Miami Heat | AdventHealth Arena | Lakers won 4-2 |
What teams did the Los Angeles Lakers lose the Championship Finals against?
The Los Angeles Lakers have lost the NBA finals 15 times in their history. The team has lost the finals against primarily the Boston Celtics amongst other teams:
Lakers lost the finals against the Celtics 4-3, 1959
Lakers lost the finals against the Celtics 4-3, 1962
Lakers lost the finals against the Celtics 4-2, 1963
Lakers lost the finals against the Celtics 4-1, 1965
Lakers lost the finals against the Celtics 4-2, 1966
Lakers lost the finals against the Celtics 4-2, 1968
Lakers lost the finals against the Celtics 4-3, 1969
Lakers lost the finals against the Knicks 4-3, 1970
Lakers lost the finals against the Knicks 4-1, 1973
Lakers lost the finals against the 76ers 4-0, 1983
Lakers lost the finals against the Celtics 4-2, 1984
Lakers lost the finals against the Pistons 4-1, 1989
Lakers lost the finals against the Bulls 4-1, 1991
Lakers lost the finals against the Pistons 4-0, 2004
Lakers lost the finals against the Celtics 4-2, 2008
The team has made it to the finals 32 times.
Los Angeles Lakers Last Finals Appearance
The Los Angeles Lakers made their most recent appearance in the NBA finals in the 2019-2020 NBA season. With the season being temporarily stalled by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Lakers found themselves playing the finals against the Miami Heat in a bubble created by the NBA in Florida.
The Lakers boasted a roster lined with stars like Lebron James, Anthony Davis and Dwight Howard with their Head Coach as Frank Vogel. The Lakers dominated the finals, winning the finals against the Heat to claim their 17th title in 32 finals appearances.
FAQ's On Los Angeles Lakers Final Appearances
A. The Los Angeles Lakers have won 17 NBA titles throughout their franchise history.
A. The Los Angeles Lakers have 17 championship rings. They are tied with the Boston Celtics for the most number of championship rings.
A. The Los Angeles Lakers most recently won the NBA title in the 2019-2020 NBA season. They beat the Miami Heat.
A. Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant have won the most rings as a Laker with five rings each.
A. Yes, Lebron James powered the Lakers to their 17th NBA title in the 2019-2020 NBA season.
