1976-77 Season

Record: 53-29, first place in Pacific Division

A new season brought a new coach, as Jerry West replaced Bill Sharman. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won his second straight MVP award as the Lakers won the Pacific Division with a league-best 53 wins and seemed poised to win another NBA title.

Playoffs: The Lakers barely survived a first-round matchup against the Golden State Warriors, then were swept in the Western Conference finals by Bill Walton and the Portland Trail Blazers.

Playoff Results


Western Conference semifinals


  • at Lakers 115, Golden State 106

  • at Lakers 95, Golden State 86

  • at Golden State 109, Lakers 105

  • at Golden State 114, Lakers 103

  • at Lakers 112, Golden State 105

  • at Golden State 115, Lakers 106

  • at Lakers 97, Golden State 84



Western Conference finals


  • Portland 121, at Lakers 109

  • Portland 99, at Lakers 97

  • at Portland 102, Lakers 97

  • at Portland 105, Lakers 101