Full History Of Los Angeles Lakers In Timeline From 1946

1946: Detroit Gems franchise begins

In 1946, the Detroit Gems franchise was established as part of the National Basketball League (NBL).

1946: Founding of the Detroit Gems

In 1946, the Detroit Gems franchise was founded and played in the National Basketball League (NBL) during the 1946–47 season, finishing last with only 4 wins in 44 games.

1946: Detroit Gems Founded

In 1946, the Detroit Gems were founded by businessmen Morris Winston and C. King Boring and began playing in the 1946–47 season. They would eventually become the Los Angeles Lakers.

1947: Home Games

From 1947 to 1960, while the team played in Minneapolis, the team played their home games at the Minneapolis Auditorium and the Minneapolis Armory

1947: Selection of George Mikan and NBL Championship

In 1947, The Lakers selected George Mikan in the Professional Basketball League of America dispersal draft and won the NBL championship with a 43–17 record.

1948: Move to Basketball Association of America (BAA)

In 1948, the Lakers moved from the NBL to the Basketball Association of America (BAA).

1948: NBL Championship

In 1948, the Minneapolis Lakers won the NBL championship before joining the Basketball Association of America.

1949: Kings and Lakers First Playoff Game

In 1949, the Kings and Lakers first faced each other in the playoffs, starting a history of nine playoff matchups between the teams.

1949: BAA Championship

In 1949, the Lakers won the BAA Championship, defeating the Washington Capitols four games to two.

1950: Third Straight Professional Championship

In 1950, the Lakers won their third straight professional championship after improving their record to 51–17 in the newly formed NBA.

1951: Second in division

During the 1951–52 season, the Lakers finished second in their division with 40 wins.

1952: NBA Finals victory against New York Knicks

In the 1951-52 season, the Lakers won the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks in seven games.

1953: MVP of NBA All-Star Game and NBA Championship

In the 1952-53 season, George Mikan was named MVP of the 1953 NBA All-Star Game. The Lakers defeated the New York Knicks to win their second straight NBA Championship.

1954: Mikan's Retirement

Following George Mikan's retirement in the 1954 off-season, the Lakers struggled but still managed to win 40 games.

1954: Max Winter Sells Share to Mikan

In 1954, General Manager Max Winter sold his share of the Lakers to Mikan in their early years in Minnesota.

1954: Fifth BAA/NBA championship

In 1954, under coach John Kundla, the Lakers, then in Minneapolis, won their fifth BAA/NBA championship.

1955: Mikan's Comeback

George Mikan came back for the last half of the 1955–56 season, but struggled and retired for good after the season.

1956: Berger Buys Mikan's Share

In 1956, Ben Berger bought Mikan's share of the Lakers, giving him a two-thirds interest in the team.

1956: Advance to the Conference Finals

In 1956–57, the Lakers, led by Clyde Lovellette, advanced to the Conference Finals.

1957: Team Put Up For Sale

In 1957, after Mikan retired, attendance plummeted and the team lost money, leading the owners to put the Lakers up for sale.

1957: Worst Season in Team History

The Lakers had one of the worst seasons in team history in 1957–58, winning a league-low 19 games.

1958: Short Becomes Majority Owner

In 1958, Bob Short had become 80% owner of the Lakers by buying out his partners, but the team was floundering.

1958: Elgin Baylor drafted first overall

In 1958, Elgin Baylor was selected as the first overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers.

1958: Drafting Elgin Baylor

In the 1958 NBA draft, the Lakers selected Elgin Baylor with the top pick.

1959: Baylor named co-MVP

In 1959, Elgin Baylor was named NBA Rookie of the Year and co-MVP of the 1959 NBA All-Star Game.

1959: First Finals Meeting Against Celtics

In 1959, the Lakers and Boston Celtics met in the NBA Finals for the first time, marking the beginning of a storied rivalry.

1959: Financial Troubles Plague Lakers

In the 1959-60 season, the Lakers had lost $60,000 in the first half alone, forcing Short to move the team to Los Angeles in 1960.

January 18, 1960: Plane Crash-Landing

On January 18, 1960, the Lakers' plane crash-landed in a cornfield en route to St. Louis due to a snow storm that drove the pilot off course. No one was hurt.

1960: Move to Los Angeles

Before the 1960–61 season, the Minneapolis Lakers moved to Los Angeles.

1960: Home Games

From 1947 to 1960, while the team played in Minneapolis, the team played their home games at the Minneapolis Auditorium and the Minneapolis Armory

1961: Lakers Improved Record

In the 1961-62 season, the Lakers improved their record to 54-26 and made it to the finals.

1962: Loss in NBA Finals to the Celtics

In the 1962-63 season, Los Angeles lost in the NBA Finals in six games to the Boston Celtics.

1964: Loss in first round of NBA playoffs

After falling to 42–38, the Lakers lost in the first round of the 1964 NBA playoffs to the Hawks.

November 21, 1965: Chick Hearn's consecutive game streak begins

On November 21, 1965, Chick Hearn began his streak of broadcasting 3,338 consecutive Lakers games.

1965: Cooke Buys the Team

In 1965, Short sold the team to Washington Redskins owner and publisher Jack Kent Cooke for a then-league record amount of $5.175 million.

1966: Loss in Finals to Boston

In 1966, Los Angeles lost in the NBA finals to Boston in seven games.

1967: The Forum

From 1967 to 1999, the Lakers played their home games at The Forum in Inglewood, California.

1967: Construction of the Forum Financed

In 1967, Jack Kent Cooke personally financed construction of the Forum at a cost of $16.5 million.

1967: First Postseason Meeting in California

In 1967, the Lakers and Golden State Warriors met in the postseason for the first time after both teams had moved to California. This marked the beginning of their rivalry.

July 9, 1968: Acquisition of Wilt Chamberlain

On July 9, 1968, the Lakers acquired Wilt Chamberlain from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Darrell Imhoff, Archie Clark, and Jerry Chambers.

1968: Loss to Celtics in NBA Finals

After dropping to 36 wins and losing in the first round of the 1967 NBA playoffs, the Lakers lost in the finals to the Celtics again in 1968.

1968: Riley's repeat declaration

At the Lakers' championship celebration in Los Angeles, coach Riley declared that Los Angeles would repeat as NBA champions, which no team had done since the 1968–69 Boston Celtics.

1968: Acquisition of Wilt Chamberlain

In 1968, the Lakers acquired Wilt Chamberlain, a four-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP).

1969: Jerry West Scores 53 Against Celtics

In 1969, Jerry West scored 53 points against the Boston Celtics. In 1996, Shaquille O'Neal scored 46 points in Game 1 against the Portland Trail Blazers, marking the highest single-game playoff scoring output by a Laker since Jerry West's 53 points in 1969.

1969: Finals against Boston Celtics

In the 1983-84 season, the Los Angeles Lakers played Boston in the Finals for the first time since 1969.

1970: Lost Finals

In 1970, the Lakers avenged their 1970 finals loss by defeating them 4 games to 1.

1970: Loss to New York Knicks in NBA Finals

In 1970, the Lakers reached the NBA finals against the New York Knicks, but lost 4-3.

1971: Consecutive Games Won Record

During the 1971–72 season, the Lakers achieved NBA records for most consecutive games won overall (33) and most consecutive road games won (16). They also hold highest road winning percentage at 0.816.

1971: NBA's longest winning streak

In 1971–72 season the Lakers set the record for NBA's longest winning streak, 33 straight games.

1971: Changes to the team

The 1971–72 season brought several changes. Owner Jack Kent Cooke brought in Bill Sharman as head coach, and Elgin Baylor announced his retirement early in the season.

1972: NBA Title Led by Bill Sharman

In 1972, led by coach Bill Sharman, the Lakers secured their sixth NBA title.

1972: Best Record Posted

In 1972, the Lakers posted their best record at 69–13.

1972: NBA Championship and Bill Sharman Named Coach of the Year

In 1972, the Lakers won 69 games and set a record for the longest winning streak in major American professional sports, winning 33 straight games. Bill Sharman was named Coach of the Year and the Lakers won the NBA Championship against the New York Knicks.

1973: NBA Finals Loss to New York Knicks

In 1973, the Lakers won 60 games and secured another Pacific Division title. They defeated the Chicago Bulls and the Golden State Warriors to advance to the NBA Finals. They lost to the New York Knicks in five games in the 1973 NBA Finals.

1973: West's Injury and Late Season Surge

In the 1973 season, West played only 31 games due to injury, while Goodrich averaged 25.3 points, leading the Lakers to win the Pacific Division. In the playoffs they only managed one win against Milwaukee in the conference semifinals.

1974: Missing Playoffs in 1974-75 Season

The Lakers missed the playoffs in the 1974-75 season.

1975: Acquisition of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

In 1975 the Lakers acquired Kareem Abdul-Jabbar from Milwaukee for Elmore Smith, Brian Winters, Junior Bridgeman, and Dave Meyers. Abdul-Jabbar won his fourth MVP, but the Lakers missed the playoffs finishing 40-42.

1976: First season without playoffs

During the 1993–94 season, Pfund was fired during the season that would result in the Lakers failing to make the playoffs for the first time since 1976.

1976: KLAC radio broadcast rights

From the 1976-77 season, KLAC held the Lakers' radio broadcast rights.

1976: West Hired as Coach

In 1976, West replaced Sharman as the team's coach. The Lakers won the Pacific Division but were swept by Portland in the Western Conference Finals.

1976: Franchise Record: Wins at Home

In 1976-77 the lakers had 37-4 wins at home, one short of the franchise record set during the 1971-72 season. They matched this number again in 1979-80.

1977: Abdul-Jabbar Punches Kent Benson

In 1977, during the first game of the season, Abdul-Jabbar punched Bucks center Kent Benson, breaking his hand.

1977: KCAL-TV becomes over-the-air broadcaster

Since 1977, KCAL had been the Lakers' over-the-air television broadcaster, dating back to when the station was KHJ-TV.

1978: Kermit Washington Punches Rudy Tomjanovich

In 1978, Kermit Washington punched Rudy Tomjanovich, resulting in severe injuries that prematurely ended Tomjanovich's career. Washington was suspended and released by the Lakers.

1979: Buss Buys the Lakers

In 1979, Cooke sold the Lakers, the Los Angeles Kings, the Forum, and some real estate to Jerry Buss for $67.5 million, of which the Lakers constituted $16 million.

1979: Jerry Buss Purchases Lakers and Magic Johnson drafted

In 1979, Jerry Buss purchased the Lakers. Also in 1979, the Lakers drafted Magic Johnson first overall in the NBA draft.

1979: Magic Johnson drafted first overall

In 1979, Magic Johnson was selected as the first overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers.

1979: Franchise Record: Wins at Home

In 1979-80 the lakers had 37-4 wins at home, one short of the franchise record set during the 1971-72 season. They matched this number again in 1976-77.

1979: Drafting Magic Johnson

In the 1979 NBA draft, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Magic Johnson from Michigan State with the first overall pick.

1979: Trade with Cleveland Cavaliers

Midway through the 1979-80 season, the Lakers had sent Don Ford and a 1980 first-round pick to the Cavaliers for Butch Lee and their 1982 selection.

1980: NBA Finals Victory

In 1980, the Lakers won 60 games and defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in six games in the NBA Finals. Magic Johnson won the Finals MVP award.

1980: Trade with Cleveland Cavaliers

Midway through the 1979-80 season, the Lakers had sent Don Ford and a 1980 first-round pick to the Cavaliers for Butch Lee and their 1982 selection.

1981: Johnson's Criticism of Westhead

Early in the 1981 season, Magic Johnson complained about head coach Paul Westhead to the media and demanded a trade.

1981: Pat Riley promoted to head coach

In 1981, Pat Riley was promoted to head coach.

1982: James Worthy drafted first overall

In 1982, James Worthy was selected as the first overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers.

1982: Lakers win the NBA Championship

In 1982, Pat Riley was promoted to "co-head coach", the Lakers won the Pacific Division title, swept the Suns and Spurs in the playoffs, and won the NBA Finals 4-2 against the 76ers. Also the Lakers drafted James Worthy.

1982: Drafting James Worthy

In the 1982 NBA draft, the Lakers added forward James Worthy to their roster.

1983: NBA Finals Loss

In 1983, after defeating Portland and San Antonio, the Lakers advanced to play Philadelphia in the NBA Finals, but lost the series in four games. After the season West replaced Sharman as the team's GM.

1984: Highest Field-Goal Percentage Record

During the 1984–85 season, the Lakers set a record for the highest field-goal percentage for a season at 54.5%.

1984: Loss to Celtics in NBA Finals

In the 1984 NBA Finals, the Lakers were defeated by their Boston archrivals, the Celtics.

1985: Kings Move to Sacramento

In 1985, the Kings moved to Sacramento, establishing both teams in California and intensifying their rivalry.

1985: Franchise Record Broken: Wins at Home

In 1985-86 the Boston Celtics broke the Laker's franchise record for most wins at home in the regular season with 40-1.

1985: NBA Finals victory over Celtics

In the 1985 NBA Finals, the Lakers triumphed over the Boston Celtics.

1985: Western Conference Finals Loss to the Rockets

In the 1985 season, the Lakers won 62 games and their fifth straight division title, but were defeated by the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference Finals.

1985: Lakers on Fox Sports West

The Lakers have been on Fox Sports West since 1985, when it was originally Prime Ticket.

1986: 65 Wins in 1986-87 Season

In 2000, the Lakers finished 67-15, the highest win total since they won 65 in the 1986-87 season.

1986: Lakers acquire Mychal Thompson

Prior to the 1986 season, the Lakers acquired Mychal Thompson from the Spurs.

1987: Michael Cooper winning Defensive Player of the Year

Following the 1989 season, 1987 Defensive Player of the Year winner Michael Cooper decided to play in Europe and was waived at his request.

1987: NBA Finals victory over Celtics

In the 1987 NBA Finals, the Lakers won against the Boston Celtics.

1987: Seventh Consecutive Pacific Division Title

In the 1987 season, the Lakers took their seventh consecutive Pacific Division title with a 62–20 record.

1988: Forum Renamed Great Western Forum

In 1988, Jerry Buss started the trend of allowing sponsors to add their name to team's stadiums when he renamed the Forum the Great Western Forum.

1988: First Title Since 1988

In 2000, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers to win their first NBA title since 1988.

1988: Lakers Won NBA Finals Against Pistons

In the 1988 NBA Finals, the Lakers won against the Detroit Pistons in 7 games.

1988: Eighth Consecutive Pacific Division Crown

In the 1988 season, Los Angeles won 57 games and their eighth consecutive Pacific Division crown.

June 28, 1989: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Retirement Announcement

On June 28, 1989, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar announced his retirement after 20 professional seasons.

1989: "Magic Johnson" Song Released

In 1989, the Red Hot Chili Peppers released the song "Magic Johnson" on their album Mother's Milk, a tribute to the former Lakers point guard.

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1989: Pistons Beat Lakers in NBA Finals

In the 1989 NBA Finals, the Detroit Pistons won against the Lakers in 4 games.

1990: Best Record Since 1990-91

In 1996, despite Shaquille O'Neal missing 31 games due to injury, the Lakers achieved a 56-26 record, which was their best effort since the 1990-91 season.

1990: Failed Pacific Division Win

The 1990-91 Lakers failed to win the Pacific Division for the first time in 10 years.

November 7, 1991: Magic Johnson Announces HIV Diagnosis and Retirement

On November 7, 1991, Magic Johnson announced he had tested positive for HIV and would retire immediately.

1991: Sixth Postseason Meeting

In 1991, the Lakers and Golden State Warriors met for the sixth time in the postseason, continuing their rivalry that started after both teams moved to California.

1991: NBA Finals Loss to Chicago Bulls

In 1991, the Lakers found themselves in the NBA Finals, but were defeated in five games by the Chicago Bulls.

1991: First Trip to the Finals Since 1991

In 2000, the Lakers made their first trip to the NBA Finals since 1991, where they defeated the Indiana Pacers four games to two.

1992: Lakers losing season

The Lakers would lose 43 games in the 1992-93 season under Randy Pfund, their first losing season since 1976.

1993: Lakers losing season

The Lakers would lose 43 games in the 1992-93 season under Randy Pfund, their first losing season since 1976.

1994: Eddie Jones drafted tenth overall

In 1994, Eddie Jones was selected tenth overall as a lottery pick by the Los Angeles Lakers.

1994: Missing Playoffs for First Time Since 1994

In the 2004-05 season, the Lakers finished 34–48, missing the playoffs for only the fifth time in franchise history and the first time since 1994.

1995: Magic Johnson Returns as Player

In the 1995-96 season, Magic Johnson came out of retirement to return as a player, leading the Lakers to a 29–11 finish.

1995: Chicago Bulls won 72 games

In the 1995-96 season, the Chicago Bulls won 72 games, breaking the Lakers record of 69 games won in 1972.

1996: Lakers Acquire Kobe Bryant and Sign Shaquille O'Neal

In 1996, the Lakers acquired 17-year-old Kobe Bryant from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Vlade Divac. Bryant was the 13th overall draft pick out of Lower Merion High School. Los Angeles also signed free agent Shaquille O'Neal. Additionally, the team used their 24th pick in the draft to select Derek Fisher and traded Cedric Ceballos to Phoenix for Robert Horry.

1996: Trade for Kobe Bryant and signing Shaquille O'Neal

In 1996, the Lakers traded with the Charlotte Hornets for the draft rights to Kobe Bryant and signed center Shaquille O'Neal.

1997: Best Start in Franchise History

In the 1997–98 season, O'Neal and the Lakers had the best start in franchise history, 11–0. O'Neal would miss 20 games on the season due to an abdominal injury. Los Angeles battled Seattle for the Pacific Division title most of the season.

1998: Trade for Eddie Jones and Elden Campbell

During the 1998–99 season, All-Star guard Eddie Jones and center Elden Campbell were traded to the Charlotte Hornets. The team also acquired J. R. Reid, B. J. Armstrong, and Glen Rice.

1999: Phil Jackson Hired as Coach

Before the 1999–2000 season, Los Angeles hired former Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson, who had coached that team to six championships, and gave him a lucrative $6 million a year contract. He brought along assistant Tex Winter and they installed Winter's version of the triangle offense.

1999: Move to Staples Center

In 1999, the Lakers played their home games at the Forum during the preseason before officially moving into Staples Center.

1999: Spurs Win NBA Championship

In 1999, the San Antonio Spurs won the NBA Championship. This marked the beginning of a period where the Spurs and Lakers dominated the NBA.

1999: Crypto.com Arena Opens

In fall 1999, Crypto.com Arena (formerly known as Staples Center) opened as the home arena for the Lakers, seating up to 18,997 fans for Lakers games.

2000: NBA Championship

In 2000, The Lakers, led by Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, won the NBA Championship.

2000: New Arena and Veteran Signings

In 2000, the Lakers signed veterans Brian Shaw, John Salley, Ron Harper, and A.C. Green, who was a Laker during the "Showtime" era. The team also moved to a new arena, the Staples Center.

2000: Bryant MVP Award

In the 2007-08 season, Bryant was awarded the league's MVP award, becoming the first Laker to win the award since O'Neal in 2000.

2000: Last Title Until 2000

The 1987-88 NBA championship win would be the Lakers' last title until 2000.

2000: Best Playoff Record

The 2000–01 Lakers team set the NBA record for best playoff record at 15–1.

December 16, 2001: Chick Hearn's consecutive game streak ends

On December 16, 2001, Chick Hearn's streak of broadcasting 3,338 consecutive Lakers games ended.

2001: Lakers Win NBA Championship

In 2001, the Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA Championship, marking another year in their rivalry era with the San Antonio Spurs.

2001: Sweeping Jason Kidd and the New Jersey Nets in the NBA Finals

The Lakers won 58 games in 2001-02. The Lakers then achieved a three-peat in 2001 by sweeping Jason Kidd and the New Jersey Nets in the NBA Finals. O'Neal won each of the Finals series' MVP awards, making him the only player besides Michael Jordan to win three consecutive Finals MVPs.

2002: High Attendance

From 2002 and 2007 the team averaged just over 18,900 fans, which placed them in the top ten in the NBA in attendance.

2002: Chick Hearn's death

In 2002, Chick Hearn, the long-time broadcaster for the Lakers, passed away. Paul Sunderland was named the permanent play-by-play announcer with Stu Lantz retained as the color commentator.

2002: Attempt at a Four-Peat

In 2002, the Lakers attempted a four-peat but started the 2002–03 season 11–19. However, they finished the season 39–13 to finish 50–32. They defeated Minnesota in the first round of the playoffs, but the four-peat attempt ended as they were eliminated by San Antonio in six games in the second round.

2002: NBA Championship

In 2002, the Lakers won their third consecutive NBA championship.

2002: Controversial Western Conference Finals

In 2002, the Western Conference Finals between the Kings and Lakers were marked by controversial calls in game 6, with the Lakers ultimately winning the series in game 7.

2003: Signing of Karl Malone and Gary Payton

During the 2003–04 season, the Lakers signed Karl Malone, formerly of the Jazz, and Gary Payton, formerly of Seattle, to join O'Neal and Bryant. In 2003 this formed the first "superteam" of the 21st century.

2003: Spurs Win NBA Championship

In 2003, the San Antonio Spurs won the NBA championship. Between 1999 and 2003, the Spurs and Lakers combined to win five NBA championships.

2003: Jackson Criticizes Bryant in Book

In 2004, Jackson did not return as head coach and wrote a book about the team's 2003–04 season, in which he heavily criticized Bryant and called him "uncoachable". The Lakers front office said that the book contained "several inaccuracies".

2004: Trade of Rick Fox and Gary Payton

Before the 2004–05 season, the Lakers traded Rick Fox and Gary Payton to Boston for Chris Mihm, Marcus Banks, and Chucky Atkins. Derek Fisher also signed with the Warriors.

2004: End of Premier Rivalry Era

By 2004, the Lakers and Spurs rivalry was often considered the premier rivalry in the NBA. Each time the clubs faced each other in the playoffs the winner advanced to the NBA Finals.

2004: O'Neal Traded to Miami Heat

During the 2004 off-season, the Lakers traded O'Neal to the Miami Heat for Lamar Odom, Brian Grant, Caron Butler, and a first-round draft pick. The media credited their feud as one of the motivating factors for the trade.

2004: Trade of Shaquille O'Neal

In 2004, the Lakers traded Shaquille O'Neal after losing to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals.

2004: Pistons Beat Lakers in NBA Finals

In the 2004 NBA Finals, the Detroit Pistons won against the Lakers in five games.

February 13, 2005: Malone Announces Retirement

After sitting out the first half of the 2004–05 season, Malone announced his retirement on February 13, 2005.

2005: Andrew Bynum drafted tenth overall

In 2005, Andrew Bynum was selected tenth overall as a lottery pick by the Los Angeles Lakers.

2005: Phil Jackson coaching stint

In 2005, Phil Jackson started his second stint as the head coach for the Lakers.

2005: Spurs Win NBA Championship

In 2005, the San Antonio Spurs won the NBA Championship, continuing their rivalry era with the Lakers where they combined to appear in seven consecutive NBA Finals from 1999 to 2005.

2005: Sunderland's contract expired

In the summer of 2005, the Lakers chose not to renew Paul Sunderland's contract, and Joel Meyers became the new television announcer alongside Stu Lantz. Spero Dedes and Mychal Thompson took over on the radio.

2005: Drafting Andrew Bynum

With the tenth overall pick in the 2005 NBA draft, the Lakers selected Andrew Bynum, a center from St. Joseph High School in Metuchen, New Jersey. The team also traded Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins to Washington for Kwame Brown and Laron Profit.

January 22, 2006: Bryant Scores 81 Points

On January 22, 2006, Kobe Bryant scored 81 points against Toronto, which is the second-highest total in NBA history.

2007: Re-acquisition of Derek Fisher

After re-acquiring Derek Fisher, the Lakers started the 2007–08 season with a 25–11 record, before Andrew Bynum went out for the year due to a knee injury in mid-January.

2007: High Attendance

From 2002 and 2007 the team averaged just over 18,900 fans, which placed them in the top ten in the NBA in attendance.

2007: Spurs Win NBA Championship

In 2007, the San Antonio Spurs won the NBA Championship, following a period where the Spurs and Lakers dominated the NBA with combined appearances in seven consecutive NBA Finals.

2008: Loss to Celtics in NBA Finals

In 2008, after trading for Pau Gasol, the Lakers returned to the NBA Finals but lost to the Boston Celtics.

2008: Spurs Defeated in Western Conference Finals

In 2008, the Lakers and Spurs met in the Western Conference Finals, where the Spurs were defeated.

2008: Team Sold Out Every Home Game

In 2008, the Lakers sold out every home game.

2008: Celtics Beat Lakers in Finals

In 2008, the rivalry between the Lakers and Celtics was renewed as they met in the Finals for the first time since 1987, with the Celtics winning the series 4–2.

2008: Best Record in Western Conference

In the 2008–09 season, the Lakers finished 65–17; the best record in the Western Conference. They defeated the Jazz in five games, the Rockets in seven and the Nuggets in six, to win the Western Conference title.

2008: KLAC radio broadcast rights end

KLAC held the Lakers' radio broadcast rights from the 1976-77 season until the 2008-09 season.

October 9, 2009: Preseason Game at The Forum

On October 9, 2009, the Lakers hosted a preseason game versus the Golden State Warriors at the Forum to commemorate the team's 50th-anniversary season in Los Angeles.

2009: Radio broadcasts on KSPN and KWKW

Beginning in the 2009-10 season, Lakers radio broadcasts were heard on KSPN (Los Angeles ESPN Radio affiliate) in English and KWKW in Spanish.

2009: Phil Jackson breaks regular season wins record

In 2009, Phil Jackson broke Pat Riley's record for regular season wins as a coach for the Lakers.

2009: Major Sponsors and High Ticket Prices

In 2009, major sponsors included Verizon Wireless, Toyota, Anheuser-Busch, American Express, and Carl's Jr., and the team's $113 average ticket price was the highest in the league.

2009: NBA Championship

In 2009, the Lakers won the NBA Championship.

2009: Addition of Ron Artest to the Starting Lineup

In the 2009-10 season, The Lakers, who had added Ron Artest (Metta World Peace) in place of Trevor Ariza in their starting lineup, finished with the best record in the Western Conference for the third straight time.

2009: Most Wins and Highest Winning Percentage

Into the 2009–10 season, the Lakers held records for the most wins (3,027) and the highest winning percentage (61.9%).

January 13, 2010: 3,000 Regular-Season Games Won

On January 13, 2010, the Lakers became the first team in NBA history to win 3,000 regular-season games by defeating the Dallas Mavericks 100–95.

June 2010: Frank Selvy haunted by missed shot

In June 2010, Frank Selvy said that he was still haunted by a missed potential game-winning shot in regulation from the 1962 NBA finals more than 40 years later.

2010: Phil Jackson's Return and Playoff Run

After much speculation, head coach Phil Jackson returned for the 2010–11 season. In the playoffs, the Lakers defeated the New Orleans Hornets in the first round.

2010: Buss Elected to Hall of Fame

In 2010, Jerry Buss was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame.

2010: Phil Jackson surpasses playoff records

In 2010, Phil Jackson surpassed Pat Riley's records for playoff wins and games coached for the Lakers.

2010: Most Popular Merchandise

In 2010, the Lakers had the most popular team merchandise among all NBA teams, and Bryant the most popular jersey.

2010: NBA Championship

In 2010, the Lakers won the NBA championship against the Boston Celtics.

2010: Lakers Beat Celtics in Finals

In the 2010 NBA Finals, the Lakers faced off against the Boston Celtics, winning the series in 7 games.

February 14, 2011: Time Warner Cable and Lakers announce sports networks

On February 14, 2011, Time Warner Cable and the Lakers announced the formation of two new regional sports networks (one in English, one in Spanish) to exclusively televise the team's games and related programming for 20 years.

May 25, 2011: Mike Brown Hired as Head Coach

After Jackson's retirement, former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown was hired as head coach on May 25, 2011.

2011: Phil Jackson Retirement

After Phil Jackson retired in 2011, the Lakers faced their longest playoff drought in franchise history.

2011: Bill Macdonald becomes new play-by-play announcer

For the 2011-12 season, Bill Macdonald became the new television play-by-play announcer for the Lakers, joining Stu Lantz as the color analyst. John Ireland joined Mychal Thompson to call the games on the radio.

2011: Mike Brown named head coach

In May 2011, Mike Brown was named the head coach of the Lakers, replacing Phil Jackson.

2011: Telecasts split between KCAL-TV and Fox Sports West

Until 2011, Lakers telecasts were split between KCAL-TV for road games and Fox Sports West for home games, unless chosen for national broadcasts on ABC.

July 4, 2012: Steve Nash Agreed to Sign-and-Trade Deal

On July 4, 2012, Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns agreed to a sign-and-trade deal to join the Lakers in exchange for draft picks and $3 million.

July 11, 2012: Steve Nash Trade Became Official

On July 11, 2012, the trade sending Steve Nash to the Lakers became official, marking the first day the trade moratorium was lifted.

August 10, 2012: Lakers Acquired Dwight Howard

On August 10, 2012, in a four-team trade, the Lakers traded Andrew Bynum and acquired Dwight Howard.

November 9, 2012: Mike Brown Relieved of Coaching Duties

On November 9, 2012, Mike Brown was relieved of his coaching duties after the Lakers started the 2012-13 season with a 1-4 record. Bernie Bickerstaff took over as interim head coach.

November 12, 2012: Mike D'Antoni Hired as Head Coach

On November 12, 2012, the Lakers hired Mike D'Antoni as their new head coach.

2012: New sports networks launch

Starting with the 2012-13 season, the sports networks formed by Time Warner Cable and the Lakers would exclusively televise the team's games.

February 18, 2013: Lakers Owner Jerry Buss Passed Away

On February 18, 2013, Lakers owner Jerry Buss died from cancer at the age of 80.

March 30, 2013: Kobe Bryant Passed Wilt Chamberlain in Scoring

On March 30, 2013, Kobe Bryant passed Lakers legend Wilt Chamberlain to become the fourth all-time leading scorer in NBA history, in a game against the Sacramento Kings.

April 16, 2013: Lakers Clinched Playoff Berth

On April 16, 2013, the Lakers clinched a playoff berth in the final game of the season after beating the Houston Rockets, finishing seventh in the Western Conference.

December 8, 2013: Kobe Bryant Returned from Achilles Injury

On December 8, 2013, Kobe Bryant played his first game since tearing his Achilles tendon on April 12, 2013.

December 17, 2013: Kobe Bryant Suffered Knee Injury

On December 17, 2013, Kobe Bryant suffered a broken bone in his knee, sidelining him for the remainder of the season.

2013: Mike D'Antoni resigns

At the end of the 2013-14 season, Mike D'Antoni resigned as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

2013: Jeanie Buss Takes Control

In 2013, Jeanie Buss became the Lakers' controlling owner following the death of her father, Jerry Buss.

2013: Buss Dies

In 2013, Jerry Buss died, and Forbes valued the Lakers at $1 billion.

March 25, 2014: Lakers Scored Franchise Record Points in a Quarter

On March 25, 2014, the Lakers scored 51 points in the third quarter against the New York Knicks, which was the most points scored in a quarter in franchise history.

April 30, 2014: Mike D'Antoni Resigned as Head Coach

On April 30, 2014, Mike D'Antoni resigned from his position as head coach after the Lakers had a 27–55 season.

July 28, 2014: Byron Scott Signed as Head Coach

On July 28, 2014, Byron Scott signed a multi-year contract to become the Lakers' new head coach.

2014: Julius Randle drafted seventh overall

In 2014, Julius Randle was selected seventh overall as a lottery pick by the Los Angeles Lakers.

2014: Departure of Pau Gasol

In 2014, Pau Gasol left the Lakers.

2014: Spurs Win NBA Championship

In 2014, the San Antonio Spurs won the NBA Championship.

2014: Byron Scott hired as head coach

In July 2014, Byron Scott was hired as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

November 30, 2015: Kobe Bryant Announced Retirement

On November 30, 2015, Kobe Bryant announced that he would retire at the end of the season after 20 seasons with the Lakers.

2015: Byron Scott coaching

Byron Scott served as head coach of the Lakers during the 2015-16 season.

2015: D'Angelo Russell drafted second overall

In 2015, D'Angelo Russell was selected second overall as a lottery pick by the Los Angeles Lakers.

April 24, 2016: Lakers Declined Option on Byron Scott's Contract

On April 24, 2016, the Lakers announced that they would not exercise their option on Byron Scott's contract for the following season.

April 29, 2016: Luke Walton named head coach

On April 29, 2016, former Lakers player Luke Walton was named the head coach, replacing Byron Scott.

2016: Brandon Ingram drafted second overall

In 2016, Brandon Ingram was selected second overall as a lottery pick by the Los Angeles Lakers.

2016: Kobe Bryant Retirement

In 2016, Kobe Bryant retired from the Lakers.

2016: Worst Record

In 2016, the Lakers had their worst record at 17–65.

2016: Time Warner Cable SportsNet renamed Spectrum SportsNet

In 2016, upon Charter Communications' purchase of Time Warner Cable, Time Warner Cable SportsNet was renamed Spectrum SportsNet.

February 2017: Jeanie Fires Jim

In February 2017, Jeanie Buss fired Jim Buss after several disappointing seasons, leading to a dispute over control of the Lakers.

February 21, 2017: Mitch Kupchak Fired, Magic Johnson Named President

On February 21, 2017, the Lakers fired general manager Mitch Kupchak, and Magic Johnson was named as the president of basketball operations. Jim Buss was also removed from his position.

March 7, 2017: Rob Pelinka Hired as General Manager

On March 7, 2017, the Lakers hired Rob Pelinka as their new general manager, signing him to a five-year deal.

March 2017: Buss Siblings Manage Trusts

As of March 2017, Jerry Buss' six children held the family's controlling stake in the Lakers via four related trusts, which are managed by co-trustees Jeanie, Janie, and Johnny Buss.

2017: Lonzo Ball drafted second overall

In 2017, Lonzo Ball was selected second overall as a lottery pick by the Los Angeles Lakers.

2017: Playoff Record Broken

In 2017, the Golden State Warriors broke the 2000-01 Laker's NBA record for best playoff record.

February 2018: Nance Jr. and Clarkson Traded to Cavaliers

In February 2018, Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson were traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye, and a 2018 first-round draft pick.

July 2, 2018: Randle Was Renounced by Lakers

On July 2, 2018, Julius Randle was renounced by the Lakers.

July 9, 2018: Lakers Signed LeBron James

On July 9, 2018, the Lakers signed LeBron James to a four-year, $154 million contract.

2018: Signing LeBron James

In 2018, the Lakers signed LeBron James.

2018: Luke Walton coaching

Luke Walton served as head coach of the Lakers until the end of the 2018-19 season.

February 7, 2019: Zubac Traded to Clippers

On February 7, 2019, Ivica Zubac was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers along with Michael Beasley in exchange for Mike Muscala.

April 9, 2019: Magic Johnson Stepped Down

On April 9, 2019, Magic Johnson stepped down as the team's president of basketball operations.

May 13, 2019: Frank Vogel named head coach

On May 13, 2019, Frank Vogel was named the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

2019: JoAnn's Death

In 2019, a portion of the Lakers shares were reserved for Buss' ex-wife JoAnn, who died.

2019: Trade for Anthony Davis

In 2019, the Lakers traded several prospects for star big man Anthony Davis.

January 25, 2020: LeBron James Passed Kobe Bryant in Scoring

On January 25, 2020, LeBron James passed Kobe Bryant for third place on the NBA's all-time scoring list during a road loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

2020: NBA Championship

In 2020, led by LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and coach Frank Vogel, the Lakers won their 17th NBA championship.

2021: Lakers Acquired Veteran Players

During the 2021 off-season, the Lakers acquired several veteran NBA players, most notably Russell Westbrook. Players like Kyle Kuzma were traded away, and veterans like Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard were added to the team.

2021: Frank Vogel coaching

Frank Vogel coached the Lakers during the 2021-22 season.

2021: Bibigo Jersey Patch Deal

In 2021, the Lakers started a jersey patch deal with Bibigo for the 2021–22 season.

June 6, 2022: Darvin Ham named head coach

On June 6, 2022, Darvin Ham was named head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

December 9, 2023: Lakers Won NBA In-Season Tournament

On December 9, 2023, the Lakers won the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament after defeating the Indiana Pacers in the championship game. LeBron James was named tournament MVP.

2023: Lakers Lead Series Against Warriors

As of 2023, the Lakers led the all-time regular-season series against the Golden State Warriors, 262–173, and the postseason series, 25–11.

2023: Lakers Made Western Conference Finals

In the 2023 Playoffs, the Lakers made a surprising run to the Western Conference Finals, where they were defeated by the Denver Nuggets.

May 3, 2024: Darvin Ham fired as head coach

On May 3, 2024, Darvin Ham was fired by the Lakers after being eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in the first round, despite leading the team to their first In-Season Tournament championship.

June 20, 2024: JJ Redick Hired as Head Coach

On June 20, 2024, JJ Redick was hired as the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

June 24, 2024: JJ Redick hired as head coach

On June 24, 2024, former NBA player JJ Redick was hired as the 29th head coach in team history.

June 27, 2024: Lakers Drafted Bronny James

On June 27, 2024, the Lakers selected Bronny James, the son of LeBron James, with the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, marking the first father-son duo in NBA history.

October 2024: Lakers Valued at $7.1 Billion

In October 2024, Forbes estimated that the Lakers were the third-most-valuable team in basketball, at $7.1 billion.

October 23, 2024: First Father-Son Duo Played Together

On October 23, 2024, the Lakers made NBA history as being the first team to have a father and son (LeBron James & Bronny James) play together, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves in their season opening game.

2024: Ownership Division

As of 2024, ownership of the Lakers was divided among the following parties: the Buss Family Trusts (66%); Mark Walter (20%); Todd Boehly (7%); Patrick Soon-Shiong (4%), and Ed Roski Jr. (3%).

2024: Ticket Sales Ranking

For the 2024–25 season, the Lakers sold a total of 767,626 tickets, ranking 12th in the league.

2024: Tying Celtics for most titles

In 2024, the Lakers tied the Celtics for the most NBA titles.

2024: Clippers Move to Intuit Dome

In 2024, the Los Angeles Clippers moved to the Intuit Dome, meaning no NBA teams share an arena anymore.

2024: Celtics Surpassed Lakers in Championships

In the 2024 NBA Finals, the Boston Celtics surpassed the Lakers for the highest number of championships, holding 18 titles compared to the Lakers' 17.

February 1, 2025: Lakers Trade for Luka Dončić

On February 1, 2025, the Lakers traded Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick for Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris. The Jazz received Jalen Hood-Schifino, and two 2025 second-round picks.

February 2025: Trade for Luka Dončić

In February 2025, the Lakers traded Davis to acquire Luka Dončić.

June 2025: Buss Family Agrees to Sell Majority Control

In June 2025, ESPN reported that the Buss family had agreed to sell majority control of the Lakers to Mark Walter, owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, at a $10 billion valuation, with Jeanie Buss continuing to run the team.