2002 NBA Finals Game 3: Lakers vs Nets

Lore & Background

The Lakers became the first team since the Chicago Bulls to achieve a three-peat in NBA history. The series began on June 5 and ended on June 12. Lakers coach Phil Jackson won his ninth ring, tying him with Red Auerbach for most all-time. Shaquille O'Neal was named NBA Finals MVP for the third consecutive year, averaging 36.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game. This was the last Finals to be broadcast by NBC. As of 2026, the Lakers are the most recent team in the four North American major professional sports leagues to accomplish a three-peat.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the Continental Airlines Arena was thick with tension as the fourth quarter wound down. Shaquille O'Neal had just thrown down another thunderous dunk, drawing a roar from the traveling Lakers faithful, but Jason Kidd's three-pointer kept New Jersey within striking distance. Kobe Bryant caught the ball at the top of the key, eyes locked on the rim. He drove left, absorbed contact from Kenyon Martin, and floated a soft shot over the defender's outstretched hand. Swish. The moment silenced the home crowd as Kobe signaled to his teammates that the job was nearly done. In that hostile environment, the path to history felt clear.

Reader's Guide

The New Jersey Nets entered the 2001–02 season after a three-year playoff drought. They hired Rod Thorn as team president, who hired Byron Scott as coach and traded for Stephon Marbury. They drafted Kenyon Martin first overall in 2000. After a 26–56 season, Thorn traded the 7th pick for Richard Jefferson, Jason Collins, and Brandon Armstrong. The next day, the Nets traded Marbury to Phoenix for Jason Kidd. With the Princeton offense, the Nets rebounded to 52–30, clinching the number-one seed in the East. Kidd was All-NBA and All-Defensive first team, runner-up for MVP. Richard Jefferson was All-Rookie second team, and Thorn was Executive of the Year. In the playoffs, the Nets survived a scare against the Indiana Pacers in five games, then dismissed the Charlotte Hornets in five, and beat the Boston Celtics in six to reach their first NBA Finals. Kidd averaged a triple-double in the conference finals. The Lakers entered with high expectations after winning two straight championships. They finished 58–24, earning the third seed in the West. In the playoffs, they swept the Portland Trail Blazers in three games, dispatched the San Antonio Spurs in five, and defeated the Sacramento Kings in seven games in the Western Conference finals to earn their third straight Finals berth.

Did You Know?

• The Lakers swept the Nets to three-peat as NBA champions.
• Shaquille O'Neal was named Finals MVP for the third consecutive year.
• Phil Jackson won his ninth ring, tying Red Auerbach for most all-time.
• This was the last NBA Finals broadcast by NBC.
• The Nets reached their first NBA Finals after a three-year playoff drought.