1988-89 Season

Record: 57-25, first place in Pacific Division

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar announced before the season that this would be his final year. Teams around the league showered the legend with gifts during his final visit to their city as the Lakers won the Pacific Division again and Magic Johnson won his second NBA Most Valuable Player Award.

Playoffs: The Lakers reached the NBA Finals by sweeping Portland, Seattle, and Phoenix, the first time a team had swept all three series before the Finals. With most NBA experts predicting a Lakers three-peat, hamstring injuries to Byron Scott and Magic Johnson derailed the Lakers in the NBA Finals, and they were swept by the Detroit Pistons.

Playoff Results


Western Conference first round


  • at Lakers 128, Portland 108

  • at Lakers 113, Portland 105

  • Lakers 116, at Portland 108


Western Conference semifinals


  • at Lakers 113, Seattle 102

  • at Lakers 130, Seattle 108

  • Lakers 91, at Seattle 86

  • Lakers 97, at Seattle 95




Western Conference finals


  • at Lakers 127, Phoenix 119

  • at Lakers 101, Phoenix 95

  • Lakers 110, at Phoenix 107

  • Lakers 122, at Phoenix 117



NBA Finals


  • at Detroit 109, Lakers 97

  • at Detroit 108, Lakers 105

  • Detroit 114, at Lakers 110

  • Detroit 105, at Lakers 97


Coach