Lakers vs Jazz

Lore & Background

The team dedicated the season to retired Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant, who was killed in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020. On March 6, 2020, the Lakers clinched their first playoff berth since the 2012–13 season. Five days later, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the season was suspended. On July 5, the NBA announced a return of the season in the NBA Bubble, with 22 teams playing eight seeding games followed by a full postseason. Play resumed on July 30, with all games being played in Orlando, Florida. On August 3, the Lakers clinched the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs for the first time since the 2009–10 season. The Lakers finished the shortened season 52–19. They defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets, and Denver Nuggets to advance to the NBA Finals, where they defeated the Miami Heat in six games to earn the franchise's 17th NBA championship. The Lakers also became the first and only team in NBA history to be undefeated in a season when leading entering the fourth quarter, going a combined 57–0 record in the regular season and playoffs.

In Their Own Story

The air in the Salt Lake City arena hung heavy with humidity and anticipation, a stark contrast to the palm-tree breeze of Los Angeles. On one end, Magic Johnson moved with a casual grace that masked the chaos he was about to unleash; on the other, Karl Malone set a screen so violent it seemed to crack the floorboards. The clock wound down in Game 7 of '88. The Jazz had built their house brick by brick, grind by grind, but the Lakers were an unbreakable storm. As Magic limped toward the line, his ankle swollen and taped tight, the silence was deafening. He ignored the crowd, locking eyes only on the rim, channeling a dynasty's will into a single release. The ball arced through the Utah night—a golden streak sealing another chapter in a war of styles that defined an era.

Reader's Guide

The Lakers held one first-round draft pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. They used the fourth overall pick to select De'Andre Hunter, but later sent the rights to Hunter to the New Orleans Pelicans in a trade that brought Anthony Davis to Los Angeles. On June 15, 2019, the Lakers agreed to acquire Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans. In exchange, the Lakers gave up Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and three first-round picks. During the offseason, the Lakers re-signed Rajon Rondo, Alex Caruso, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and JaVale McGee. They also signed veteran free agents Danny Green, Avery Bradley, and Dwight Howard.

Did You Know?

• The Lakers clinched their first playoff berth since the 2012–13 season on March 6, 2020.
• The Lakers became the first team since the 2007–08 Boston Celtics to miss the playoffs one season and win a championship the following season.
• LeBron James was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP).
• The Lakers tied the Celtics for the highest-ever number of NBA championship wins with 17.