The 1980 Kansas City Kings Playoff Run

Lore & Background

The Kings–Lakers rivalry is a National Basketball Association (NBA) rivalry between the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers. Historically, the rivalry has been seen as a very intense one, with constant playoff series match-ups occurring in the early days in the NBA (including the 1947–48 NBL season and 1948–49 BAA season) and some bitterly contested playoff series match-ups occurring within the early 2000s. They have shared a home state of California since the Kings relocated to Sacramento in 1985.

Reader's Guide

The Kings and Lakers had one playoff series against each other during the period before the Kings moved to Sacramento, in 1984 (while the Kings were still in Kansas City), with the Lakers sweeping the Kings 3–0. The rivalry was renewed in the early 2000s, with the teams facing each other in consecutive playoff series between 2000 and 2002. The Lakers defeated the Kings in 5 games in the 2000 Western Conference First Round, and swept them in the 2001 Semifinals. The 2002 Western Conference Finals went to a decisive Game 7, with the Lakers winning the series.

Did You Know?

• The Kings won the NBL championship in their first season (1945–46) by defeating the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons and sweeping the Sheboygan Red Skins.
• The Lakers and Royals met in the NBL championship in the 1947–48 season, with the Lakers winning 3–1.
• The Kings and Lakers met in the BAA's Western Division Finals in 1949, with the Lakers sweeping the Royals 2–0.
• The Kings won their sole NBA Championship in 1951.