The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most storied franchises in NBA history, a legacy of success spanning decades. Originally founded in 1947 as the Minneapolis Lakers, the team relocated to Los Angeles in 1960.
Under the ownership of the Buss family since 1979, the Lakers have been a model of consistency and excellence. Jeanie Buss, the team's controlling owner and president, has continued the winning tradition established by her father, Dr. Jerry Buss, leading the franchise to six NBA championships.
The Lakers playoff history is a testament to the talent of the players who have played for the famous purple and gold. Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, Magic Johnson, Jerry West and Kareen Abdul-Jabbar are some of the all-time greats to have played for the franchise.
Today, the Lakers boast a formidable lineup led by LeBron James, D'Angelo Russell, Anthony Davis, and Austin Reaves, under the guidance of head coach Darvin Ham.
How many times has the Los Angeles Lakers made the playoffs?
With a remarkable 75% success rate, the Los Angeles Lakers have made the playoffs an astonishing 63 times in their 75-year history. Their playoff pedigree dates back to their time as the Minneapolis Lakers, where they won a championship in the National Basketball League (NBL) and five of the first six titles in the Basketball Association of America (BAA).
After relocating to Los Angeles in 1960, the Lakers continued their playoff dominance, reaching the postseason on numerous occasions, often going deep into the playoffs. Key acquisitions like Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar propelled the team to multiple playoff appearances in the 1960s and 1970s. The drafting of Magic Johnson in 1979 bought another era of playoff success.
Despite a lull in the 1990s, the Lakers regained their playoff form after trading for Kobe Bryant and pairing him with Shaquille O'Neal, forming an unstoppable duo until 2004. After rebuilding, they then signed LeBron James in 2018 and Anthony Davis in 2019, which culminated in their latest championship in 2020.
Los Angeles Lakers Playoff Record
The Los Angeles Lakers boast an exceptional playoff record, standing tall with a remarkable 466-314 all-time mark in the postseason. This impressive record in playoffs places the Lakers at the top in playoff appearances and wins.
Between 2013-2019, the Los Angeles Lakers failed to make the playoffs. However, things changed in 2020 and since then they have missed the postseason only once.
Notably, the Lakers achieved an unprecedented feat by becoming the first team to go undefeated on the road throughout the entire playoffs. This remarkable accomplishment showcased their dominance and unwavering determination on their journey to the championship.
Number of Conference Championships Won
The Los Angeles Lakers have dominated the Western Conference, capturing an impressive 17 conference titles throughout their illustrious NBA history. Their remarkable success rate is further highlighted by their 23 appearances in the Conference Finals.
| Season | Team | Conference Finals Score |
| 1972 | Milwaukee Bucks | 4-2 |
| 1973 | Golden State Warriors | 4-1 |
| 1980 | Seattle Supersonics | 4-1 |
| 1982 | San Antonio Spurs | 4-0 |
| 1983 | San Antonio Spurs | 4-2 |
| 1984 | Phoenix Suns | 4-2 |
| 1985 | Denver Nuggets | 4-1 |
| 1987 | Seattle Supersonic | 4-0 |
| 1988 | Dallas Mavericks | 4-3 |
| 1989 | Phoenix Suns | 4-0 |
| 1990 | Portland Trail Blazers | 4-3 |
| 2000 | Portland Trail Blazers | 4-3 |
| 2001 | San Antonio Spurs | 4-0 |
| 2002 | Sacramento Kings | 4-3 |
| 2004 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 4-2 |
| 2008 | San Antonio Spurs | 4-1 |
| 2009 | Denver Nuggets | 4-2 |
| 2010 | Phoenix Suns | 4-2 |
| 2020 | Denver Nuggets | 4-1 |
Number of NBA Championships Won
The Los Angeles Lakers are on the top of the list of winning the NBA Championships. They stand along with the Boston Celtics at 17 NBA titles. Their most successful run came in 1999 to 2001 when the Lakers won three consecutive titles. The team was then led by Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant.
The Lakers' journey to each of these 17 titles has been paved with remarkable performances, iconic moments, and the relentless pursuit of victory.
| Season | Opponent | Head Coach | Series Score |
| 1949 | Washington Capitols | John Kundla | 4-2 |
| 1950 | Syracuse Nationals | John Kundla | 4-2 |
| 1952 | New York Knicks | John Kundla | 4-3 |
| 1953 | New York Knicks | John Kundla | 4-1 |
| 1954 | Syracuse Nationals | John Kundla | 4-3 |
| 1972 | New York Knics | Bill Sharman | 4-1 |
| 1980 | Philadelphia 76ers | Jack McKinney (10-4) Paul WestHead (50-18) | 4-2 |
| 1982 | Philadelphia 76ers | Paul WestHead (7-4) Pat Riley (50-21) | 4-2 |
| 1985 | Boston Celtics | Pat Riley | 4-2 |
| 1987 | Boston Celtics | Pat Riley | 4-2 |
| 1988 | Detroit Pistons | Pat Riley | 4-3 |
| 2000 | Indiana Pacers | Phil Jackson | 4-2 |
| 2001 | Philadelphia 76ers | Phil Jackson | 4-1 |
| 2002 | Brooklyn Nets | Phil Jackson | 4-0 |
| 2009 | Orlando Magic | Phil Jackson | 4-1 |
| 2010 | Boston Celtics | Phil Jackson | 4-3 |
| 2020 | Miami Heat | Frank Vogel | 4-2 |
Los Angeles Lakers Last Playoff Appearance
The Los Angeles Lakers' most recent playoff appearance came in the 2022/23 season, where they embarked on a spirited postseason run before getting swept by eventual champions the Denver Nuggets in the conference finals.
The Lakers were seventh in the Western Conference, and finished first in their division. In the first round, they faced a tough test against the Memphis Grizzlies, prevailing in a hard-fought seven-game series. In the semifinals, the Lakers defeated the Golden State Warriors in six games.
Despite their valiant efforts, the Lakers' playoff journey ended at the hands of Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets.
What is the biggest playoff series comeback in the LA Lakers history?
The biggest playoff series comeback in LA Lakers history came in the 2001/02 season. Down 3-2 against the Sacramento Kings in the conference finals, the Lakers rallied to win the final two games. They carried that momentum into the NBA Finals, sweeping the New Jersey Nets 4-0 to capture the championship. This remarkable comeback from a 3-2 deficit showcased the Lakers' resilience and determination in their pursuit of the 2001/02 NBA title.
FAQs on Los Angeles Lakers Playoff History
A. The Los Angeles Lakers have won 19 Western Conference Finals in NBA history.
A. The Los Angeles Lakers have won 17 NBA titles in NBA history.
A. Historically, the biggest rival of the Los Angeles Lakers are the Boston Celtics.
A. The Los Angeles Lakers made it to the NBA Finals in the 2019/20 season and went on to win the championship.
