Los Angeles Lakers

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Lore & Background

The 2022–23 campaign was defined by resilience and roster overhauls. After starting winless, Anthony Davis scored 23 points with 15 rebounds in the first win against Denver, while Russell Westbrook contributed 18 points off the bench. The team retired No. 99 for George Mikan on October 30, 2022, and later honored Pau Gasol by retiring No. 16 on March 7, 2023. A pivotal moment arrived on February 7, 2023, when LeBron James broke the NBA scoring record against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The roster transformed significantly before the trade deadline: Rui Hachimura joined on January 23 in exchange for Kendrick Nunn, while Russell Westbrook was traded to the Utah Jazz just two weeks later. In return, the Lakers acquired D'Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt.

In Their Own Story

The path from a 0–5 start to the Western Conference finals was fueled by specific turning points. After losing their first three games, they managed a three-game winning streak for the first time since January 2022 on November 18. The trade deadline reshaped the team's identity, moving away from Westbrook and integrating new pieces that clicked immediately. With an 8–2 finish to their last 10 regular-season games, the Lakers qualified for the Play-In Tournament for the first time since 2021. They defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 108–102 in overtime to return to the playoffs after a one-year absence, becoming only the sixth team to reach the postseason after starting 2–10. In the first round, they upset the second-seeded Memphis Grizzlies in six games on their home court for the first time since 2012.

Reader's Guide

For observers of the 2022–23 season, the Lakers offered a masterclass in overcoming adversity. They became the seventh seed to reach the Western Conference finals for the first time since the 1986–87 Seattle SuperSonics, defeating the defending champion Golden State Warriors in six games during the conference semifinals. However, their journey ended against the Denver Nuggets, who swept them 4–0 in the Western Conference finals. This series marked the first time the Nuggets defeated a Lakers playoff team in franchise history, snapping a streak of seven straight Lakers wins dating back to 1979. It was also the first time LeBron James lost a conference final since 2009 and the first sweep for the Lakers in a playoff round since the 2013 San Antonio Spurs series.

Did You Know?

• LeBron James started a season 0–5 for the first time since his rookie year with Cleveland in 2003.
• The Lakers became only the sixth team in NBA history to reach the playoffs after starting the season 2–10.
• It was the first time the Denver Nuggets won a playoff series against the Lakers in their franchise history, ending a seven-game winning streak for Los Angeles dating back to 1979.