1971-72 Season
Record: 69-13, first place in Pacific Division
There were two big changes for the Lakers, as Bill Sharman took over as coach, and Elgin Baylor retired early in the season because of continuing problems with his knees. The season was going on like any other when the Lakers defeated Baltimore, 110-106, on Nov. 5, 1971. That would be the first of an NBA-record 33 consecutive wins, shattering the old mark of 20 consecutive victories set by Milwaukee the previous season. Milwaukee ended the Lakers' streak with a 120-104 win on Jan. 9, 1972. The 33-game winning streak is an American pro sports record. The Lakers finished the season 69-13, setting an NBA record for wins in a season that would last until 1995-96, when Chicago won 72 games.
Playoffs: The Lakers stormed through the playoffs, defeating the New York Knicks, 4-1, in the NBA Finals and winning the team's first championship since moving to L.A.
Playoff Results
Western Conference semifinals
- at Lakers 95, Chicago 80
- at Lakers 131, Chicago 124
- Lakers 108, at Chicago 101
- Lakers 108, at Chicago 97
Western Conferece finals
- Milwaukee 93, at Lakers 72
- at Lakers 135, Milwaukee 134
- Lakers 108, at Milwaukee 105
- at Milwaukee 114, Lakers 88
- at Lakers 115, Milwaukee 90
- Lakers 104, at Milwaukee 100
NBA Finals
- New York 114, at Lakers 92
- at Lakers 106, New York 92
- Lakers 107, at New York 96
- Lakers 116, at New York 111 (OT)
- at Lakers 114, New York 100
