The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball team competing in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference. Based in Los Angeles, California, they play their home games at Crypto.com Arena (formerly known as Staples Center) , located at 1111 S. Figueroa Street in downtown Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Lakers stand as one of basketball’s most storied franchises, with a legacy spanning multiple eras and locations. From their early days in Minneapolis to their current status as LA’s premier basketball team, the organization has accumulated an impressive collection of achievements and records.
Notable Achievements
- Record-setting 33-game winning streak in 1971-72 season
- Unmatched 15-1 playoff record in 2001
- Most NBA Finals appearances with 32
- Multiple championship dynasties across different eras
- Home to some of basketball’s most dominant players
Franchise Records
Scoring Records:
- Kobe Bryant holds the franchise scoring record with 33,643 points
- Elgin Baylor owns the single-game scoring mark with 71 points
- Kobe Bryant achieved the highest scoring average in a season with 35.4 points
Rebounding Excellence:
- Wilt Chamberlain dominated the glass with 42 rebounds in a single game
- His 21.1 rebounds per game in 1968-69 remains unmatched
- Chamberlain’s .605 field goal percentage stands as a franchise best
Playmaking Records:
- Magic Johnson holds the career assist record with 10,141
- His single-game mark of 24 assists still stands
- Johnson averaged an incredible 13.1 assists during the 1983-84 season
Retired Numbers
The Lakers honor their greatest players by retiring their jersey numbers:
- 8 & 24 – Kobe Bryant (five championships, MVP awards)
- 13 – Wilt Chamberlain (1972 championship, NBA Finals MVP)
- 16 – Pau Gasol (2009, 2010 championships)
- 22 – Elgin Baylor (franchise scoring leader, Hall of Famer)
- 25 – Gail Goodrich (1972 championship team member)
- 32 – Magic Johnson (five championships, three MVPs)
- 33 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (six championships, six MVPs)
- 34 – Shaquille O’Neal (three consecutive championships)
- 42 – James Worthy (three championships, Finals MVP)
- 44 – Jerry West (1972 championship, legendary scorer)
- 52 – Jamaal Wilkes (four NBA championships)
Hall of Fame Members
The franchise boasts numerous Hall of Famers who contributed significantly to its legacy:
- Players: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, James Worthy, Jerry West, Pau Gasol
- Coaches: Bill Sharman, John Kundla, Pat Riley, Phil Jackson
- Contributors: Chick Hearn (legendary broadcaster), Pete Newell (General Manager), Jerry Buss (Owner)