The 2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers season is remembered as one of the most dominant playoff performances in NBA history. Coached by Phil Jackson, the Lakers finished the regular season with a 56-26 record, securing the second seed in the Western Conference. The team was led by the formidable duo of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. O’Neal averaged 28.7 points and 12.7 rebounds per game, while Bryant added 28.5 points, showcasing their offensive prowess.
The Lakers’ regular-season performance was strong, but they truly excelled in the postseason. The team went on a historic playoff run, finishing with a 15-1 record. They swept the Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, and San Antonio Spurs to reach the NBA Finals. Their only playoff loss came in Game 1 of the Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers, where Allen Iverson scored 48 points in a stunning performance.
The Lakers quickly regrouped, winning the next four games to clinch the championship. O’Neal was named the NBA Finals MVP for the second consecutive year, averaging 33.0 points and 15.8 rebounds in the series. The 2000-01 season solidified the Lakers’ status as a dynasty, marking their second consecutive NBA title and setting the stage for another championship the following year. Their postseason dominance remains one of the most impressive feats in the league’s history.
- Regular Season Record: 56-26
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 3-0, Western Conference Semifinals: 4-0, Western Conference Finals: 4-0, NBA Finals: 4-1
Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats for 2000-01 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Shaquille O'Neal | 74 | 28.7 | 12.7 | 3.7 | 0.6 | 2.8 | 0.0 | 16 | 30.4 | 15.4 | 3.2 | 0.4 | 2.4 | 0.0 |
| Kobe Bryant | 68 | 28.5 | 5.9 | 5.0 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 30.5 | 16 | 29.4 | 7.3 | 6.1 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 32.4 |
| Derek Fisher | 20 | 11.4 | 3.0 | 4.3 | 2.0 | 0.1 | 39.7 | 16 | 13.4 | 3.8 | 3.0 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 51.5 |
| Rick Fox | 82 | 9.6 | 4.0 | 3.2 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 39.3 | 16 | 10.0 | 4.9 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 31.6 |
| Horace Grant | 77 | 8.5 | 7.1 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 16 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.0 |
| Isaiah Rider | 67 | 7.6 | 2.3 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 37.0 | |||||||
| Ron Harper | 47 | 6.5 | 3.5 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 26.4 | 6 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 25.0 |
| Brian Shaw | 80 | 5.3 | 3.8 | 3.2 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 31.1 | 16 | 4.4 | 3.4 | 2.7 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 34.5 |
| Robert Horry | 79 | 5.2 | 3.7 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 34.6 | 16 | 5.9 | 5.2 | 1.9 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 36.2 |
| Mike Penberthy | 53 | 5.0 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 39.6 | |||||||
| Stanislav Medvedenko | 7 | 4.6 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 100.0 | |||||||
| Tyronn Lue | 38 | 3.4 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 32.4 | 15 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 38.5 |
| Devean George | 59 | 3.1 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 22.1 | 7 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 50.0 |
| Greg Foster | 62 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 33.3 | 1 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Mark Madsen | 70 | 2.0 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 100.0 | 13 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
Los Angeles Lakers in the 2001 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Portland Trail Blazers
In the 2001 NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers demonstrated their dominance in the first round by sweeping the Portland Trail Blazers in a decisive 3-0 series victory. Led by the formidable duo of Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, the Lakers showcased their championship-caliber play, setting the tone for their eventual title run. Their performance against Portland was marked by exceptional teamwork and relentless defense, underscoring their status as the favorites to win it all.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 22, 2001 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 106-93 | |
| Apr 26, 2001 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 106-88 | |
| Apr 29, 2001 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 99-86 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Sacramento Kings
In the 2001 NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers dominated the second round, sweeping the Sacramento Kings in four games. Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant led a formidable Lakers squad, showcasing their synergy on both ends of the court and setting the tone for their eventual championship run. Their commanding performance underscored the team's determination to defend their title and solidified their reputation as one of the most dominant duos in NBA history.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 06, 2001 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 108-105 | |
| May 08, 2001 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 96-90 | |
| May 11, 2001 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 103-81 | |
| May 13, 2001 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 119-113 |
2001 Conference Championship vs. San Antonio Spurs
In the 2001 NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers showcased sheer dominance in the Western Conference Finals by sweeping the San Antonio Spurs in four games. Led by the unstoppable duo of Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, the Lakers executed a formidable blend of powerful offense and stifling defense, setting the stage for their eventual championship victory. The Lakers' performance in this series underscored their cohesion and supremacy during one of the most remarkable playoff runs in NBA history.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 19, 2001 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 104-90 | |
| May 21, 2001 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 88-81 | |
| May 25, 2001 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 111-72 | |
| May 27, 2001 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 111-82 |
2001 NBA Finals vs. Philadelphia 76ers
In the 2001 NBA Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers delivered a dominant performance, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers in five games to capture their second consecutive NBA championship. Led by the unstoppable duo of Shaquille O'Neal, who earned Finals MVP honors, and Kobe Bryant, the Lakers showcased their superiority by losing just one game throughout the entire playoffs. Their near-perfect postseason run, highlighted by a 15-1 record, remains one of the most impressive in NBA history.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 06, 2001 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 107-101 | |
| Jun 08, 2001 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 98-89 | |
| Jun 10, 2001 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 96-91 | |
| Jun 13, 2001 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 100-86 | |
| Jun 15, 2001 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 108-96 |
Los Angeles Lakers 2000-01 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 2000-01 season for the Los Angeles Lakers.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 31, 2000 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 96-86 | |
| Nov 01, 2000 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 97-92 | |
| Nov 04, 2000 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 98-89 | |
| Nov 05, 2000 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 108-103 | |
| Nov 07, 2000 | @ Houston Rockets | L 84-74 | |
| Nov 08, 2000 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 91-81 | |
| Nov 12, 2000 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 105-99 | |
| Nov 14, 2000 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 119-103 | |
| Nov 16, 2000 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 112-110 | |
| Nov 18, 2000 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 87-86 | |
| Nov 19, 2000 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 104-96 | |
| Nov 22, 2000 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 111-91 | |
| Nov 24, 2000 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 115-108 | |
| Nov 27, 2000 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 98-83 | |
| Nov 28, 2000 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 124-107 | |
| Nov 30, 2000 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 121-88 | |
| Dec 01, 2000 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 109-100 | |
| Dec 03, 2000 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 99-97 | |
| Dec 05, 2000 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 96-85 | |
| Dec 06, 2000 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 125-122 | |
| Dec 08, 2000 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 103-95 | |
| Dec 10, 2000 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 112-88 | |
| Dec 12, 2000 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 109-105 | |
| Dec 13, 2000 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 96-86 | |
| Dec 15, 2000 | vs. Vancouver Grizzlies | W 98-76 | |
| Dec 17, 2000 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 104-101 | |
| Dec 19, 2000 | @ Miami Heat | W 81-79 | |
| Dec 21, 2000 | @ Houston Rockets | W 99-94 | |
| Dec 22, 2000 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 108-103 | |
| Dec 25, 2000 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 109-104 | |
| Dec 28, 2000 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 115-78 | |
| Dec 30, 2000 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 116-114 | |
| Jan 03, 2001 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 82-71 | |
| Jan 07, 2001 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | L 118-95 | |
| Jan 12, 2001 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 101-98 | |
| Jan 13, 2001 | @ Utah Jazz | L 111-103 | |
| Jan 15, 2001 | vs. Vancouver Grizzlies | W 113-112 | |
| Jan 19, 2001 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 114-101 | |
| Jan 21, 2001 | vs. Miami Heat | L 103-92 | |
| Jan 23, 2001 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 91-80 | |
| Jan 26, 2001 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 113-101 | |
| Jan 28, 2001 | @ New York Knicks | L 91-81 | |
| Jan 30, 2001 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 102-96 | |
| Jan 31, 2001 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 96-83 | |
| Feb 02, 2001 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 93-87 | |
| Feb 04, 2001 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 100-94 | |
| Feb 07, 2001 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 85-83 | |
| Feb 13, 2001 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 113-110 | |
| Feb 14, 2001 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 112-97 | |
| Feb 16, 2001 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 99-94 | |
| Feb 18, 2001 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 110-109 | |
| Feb 20, 2001 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 119-109 | |
| Feb 21, 2001 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 101-99 | |
| Feb 23, 2001 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 113-106 | |
| Feb 25, 2001 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 106-100 | |
| Feb 28, 2001 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 107-101 | |
| Mar 03, 2001 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 98-88 | |
| Mar 04, 2001 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 110-95 | |
| Mar 06, 2001 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 97-85 | |
| Mar 07, 2001 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 97-85 | |
| Mar 09, 2001 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 93-89 | |
| Mar 11, 2001 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 109-97 | |
| Mar 13, 2001 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 112-107 | |
| Mar 15, 2001 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 125-119 | |
| Mar 16, 2001 | @ Washington Wizards | W 101-89 | |
| Mar 18, 2001 | @ Orlando Magic | W 95-90 | |
| Mar 19, 2001 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 108-106 | |
| Mar 21, 2001 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 107-100 | |
| Mar 23, 2001 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 104-91 | |
| Mar 25, 2001 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 84-72 | |
| Mar 26, 2001 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 104-83 | |
| Mar 28, 2001 | vs. Sacramento Kings | L 108-84 | |
| Mar 30, 2001 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 98-89 | |
| Apr 01, 2001 | vs. New York Knicks | L 79-78 | |
| Apr 03, 2001 | @ Utah Jazz | W 96-88 | |
| Apr 05, 2001 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 100-88 | |
| Apr 06, 2001 | @ Boston Celtics | W 100-96 | |
| Apr 08, 2001 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 104-99 | |
| Apr 10, 2001 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 106-80 | |
| Apr 12, 2001 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 119-102 | |
| Apr 15, 2001 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 105-100 | |
| Apr 17, 2001 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 108-91 |