Los Angeles Lakers’ Playoff History

The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most successful franchises in NBA history. When it comes to the postseason, few teams even come close to their dominance. They were the record holders for the most NBA championships until last year when the Boston Celtics claimed their 18th title. From Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Kobe Bryant to LeBron James, the Lakers have been home to some of the most legendary players in NBA history. This season, they added Luka Doncic, another name who is likely to carry the Lakers’ legacy forward after LeBron. As the men in purple and gold closing in on securing another playoff berth, let’s take a look at their Playoff history.

How many times Los Angeles Lakers have been to NBA Playoffs?

Simply put, when the Lakers make the playoffs, they mean business. The franchise has played 782 postseason games, the most in NBA history. Over 77 seasons, they have reached the playoffs 64 times, made the Finals 32 times, and won the championship on 17 occasions.

The Lakers have had many great playoff runs, including an incredible comeback against the Sacramento Kings in 2001-02. But their most dominant run came in the 2000-01 season when they finished with a 15–1 record in the playoffs. Led by Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, the team swept through the Western Conference without losing a single game.

Their only loss came in Game 1 of the NBA Finals when the Philadelphia 76ers won in overtime 107–101. However, the Lakers quickly bounced back, winning the next four games to secure their second straight championship. Their near-perfect run stood as the best in NBA history for 16 years until the Golden State Warriors went 16–1 in 2017.

Also Read: Lakers Hang On for Narrow Win To Delay Rockets’ Playoff Fate

What is Los Angeles Lakers’ Win-Loss Record in NBA Playoffs?

The Los Angeles Lakers have a record of 467-318 in the playoffs. During those postseason appearances, they have played in 159 series, winning 112 and losing just 47.

Here are the top-5 NBA playoffs year where they won the most playoff games:

When was Los Angeles Lakers Last Playoff Appearance?

The Lakers have had a topsy-turvy ride over the last 11 seasons, missing the postseason seven times. However, they have been consistent in last three seasons. Their most recent playoff run was in 2024, where they were knocked out in the first round by the Denver Nuggets.

How Many NBA Finals has Los Angeles Lakers Won?

The Lakers have reached the Finals 32 times and have lifted the NBA trophy 17 times.

They enjoyed one of their best periods ever during the 1980s, winning five NBA championships in just nine years (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988). This was also called a “Showtime” era, with legends like Magic Johnson, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar leading the team.

The Showtime Lakers played 984 regular-season games, winning 712 and losing 272 with a win percentage of an incredible 72.4%.

After 12 years of dominance, the Lakers went through a 12-year dry spell without a trophy. However, few knew that 17-year-old Kobe Bryant, traded from the Charlotte Hornets for Vlade Divac in 1996, would soon kickstart a new era of dominance for the Purple and Gold.

Bryant, along with Shaquille O’Neal, led Lakers to three consecutive NBA championships from 2000 to 2002.

While Shaq parted ways with the franchise after a rift with Kobe, the “Black Mamba” carried on the Lakers’ legacy, leading them to back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010.

Lakers last championship came in 2020 when LeBron James and Anthony Davis led the team to win over the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.

Lakers All-Time Points Leaders in the Playoffs