The 1983-84 Los Angeles Lakers season was a strong campaign for the storied franchise. Under the guidance of head coach Pat Riley, the Lakers finished the regular season with a 54-28 record, securing the top spot in the Pacific Division. This performance was bolstered by the exceptional play of Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who continued to be instrumental in the team’s success. Magic Johnson’s playmaking and leadership, coupled with Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring and defensive prowess, made the Lakers a formidable team.
In the playoffs, the Lakers demonstrated their championship pedigree. They dispatched the Kansas City Kings in a straightforward first-round series, winning 3-0. In the Western Conference Semifinals, they faced the Dallas Mavericks, overcoming them in five games. The Western Conference Finals saw the Lakers battle the Phoenix Suns, whom they defeated 4-2, earning their spot in the NBA Finals.
The Lakers faced the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals, reigniting a storied rivalry. The series was intensely competitive and went the full seven games. Despite some strong performances throughout the series, including key contributions from James Worthy and Byron Scott, the Lakers ultimately fell short. The Celtics clinched the championship by winning Game 7, 111-102, in Boston. The 1983-84 season, while ending in disappointment, was nonetheless marked by the Lakers’ resilience and the continuation of their dominance in the NBA’s Western Conference.
- Regular Season Record: 54-28
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 3-0, Western Conference Semifinals: 4-1, Western Conference Finals: 4-2, NBA Finals: 3-4
Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats for 1983-84 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 80 | 21.5 | 7.3 | 2.6 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 0.0 | 21 | 23.9 | 8.2 | 3.8 | 1.1 | 2.1 | 0.0 |
| Magic Johnson | 67 | 17.6 | 7.3 | 13.1 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 22.2 | 21 | 18.2 | 6.6 | 13.5 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
| Jamaal Wilkes | 75 | 17.3 | 4.5 | 2.9 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 25.0 | 14 | 4.5 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| James Worthy | 82 | 14.5 | 6.3 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 21 | 17.7 | 5.0 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 50.0 |
| Bob McAdoo | 70 | 13.1 | 4.1 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 20 | 13.9 | 5.4 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 0.0 |
| Byron Scott | 74 | 10.6 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 23.5 | 20 | 8.6 | 1.9 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 20.0 |
| Mike McGee | 77 | 9.8 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 15.4 | 17 | 12.4 | 2.0 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 35.3 |
| Michael Cooper | 82 | 9.0 | 3.2 | 5.8 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 32.2 | 21 | 11.3 | 3.9 | 5.7 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 33.3 |
| Calvin Garrett | 41 | 4.6 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 33.4 | |||||||
| Swen Nater | 69 | 4.5 | 3.8 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 17 | 3.4 | 2.4 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Kurt Rambis | 47 | 3.6 | 5.7 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 21 | 6.7 | 5.8 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Larry Spriggs | 38 | 3.3 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 9 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Mitch Kupchak | 34 | 3.1 | 2.6 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 9 | 2.0 | 3.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Eddie Jordan | 3 | 3.0 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
Los Angeles Lakers in the 1984 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Kansas City Kings
In the first round of the 1984 NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers faced off against the Kansas City Kings. The Lakers, led by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, dominated the short best-of-five series, sweeping the Kings 3-0. Their efficient performance set the tone for a deep playoff run, showcasing the team's formidable skill and depth.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 18, 1984 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 116-105 | |
| Apr 20, 1984 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 109-102 | |
| Apr 22, 1984 | @ Kansas City Kings | W 108-102 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Dallas Mavericks
In the 1984 NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers faced the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Semifinals. The Lakers, led by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, showcased their dominance, defeating the Mavericks in five games. This victory propelled the Lakers into the Conference Finals, emphasizing their status as a perennial powerhouse during the 1980s.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 28, 1984 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 134-91 | |
| May 01, 1984 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 117-101 | |
| May 04, 1984 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 125-115 | |
| May 06, 1984 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 122-115 | |
| May 08, 1984 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 115-99 |
1984 Conference Championship vs. Phoenix Suns
In the 1984 NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers reached the Western Conference Finals, where they faced the Phoenix Suns. Led by the dynamic duo of Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Lakers showcased their signature Showtime style, overcoming the Suns in six games. This victory propelled them into an iconic NBA Finals matchup against the Boston Celtics, adding another chapter to their storied rivalry.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 12, 1984 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 110-94 | |
| May 15, 1984 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 118-102 | |
| May 18, 1984 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 135-127 | |
| May 20, 1984 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 126-115 | |
| May 23, 1984 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 126-121 | |
| May 25, 1984 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 99-97 |
1984 NBA Finals vs. Boston Celtics
In the 1984 NBA Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers faced off against their storied rivals, the Boston Celtics, in a dramatic seven-game series. Despite a stellar performance from Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Lakers fell short, losing the series 4-3 as Larry Bird led the Celtics to victory. The intense matchups and memorable moments helped cement this series as one of the most iconic in NBA history, further fueling the legendary Lakers-Celtics rivalry.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 27, 1984 | @ Boston Celtics | W 115-109 | |
| May 31, 1984 | @ Boston Celtics | L 124-121 | |
| Jun 03, 1984 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 137-104 | |
| Jun 06, 1984 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 129-125 | |
| Jun 08, 1984 | @ Boston Celtics | L 121-103 | |
| Jun 10, 1984 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 119-108 | |
| Jun 12, 1984 | @ Boston Celtics | L 111-102 |
Los Angeles Lakers 1983-84 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1983-84 season for the Los Angeles Lakers.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 28, 1983 | @ Kansas City Kings | W 117-107 | |
| Oct 29, 1983 | @ Utah Jazz | W 120-115 | |
| Nov 02, 1983 | @ San Diego Clippers | L 110-106 | |
| Nov 05, 1983 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 107-102 | |
| Nov 08, 1983 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 133-124 | |
| Nov 09, 1983 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 120-106 | |
| Nov 11, 1983 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 119-105 | |
| Nov 13, 1983 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 124-118 | |
| Nov 15, 1983 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 126-97 | |
| Nov 17, 1983 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 127-114 | |
| Nov 19, 1983 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 117-110 | |
| Nov 22, 1983 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 130-126 | |
| Nov 23, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 106-98 | |
| Nov 25, 1983 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 147-123 | |
| Nov 27, 1983 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 103-100 | |
| Nov 29, 1983 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 111-105 | |
| Dec 02, 1983 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 133-118 | |
| Dec 04, 1983 | vs. San Diego Clippers | W 120-99 | |
| Dec 08, 1983 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 129-106 | |
| Dec 11, 1983 | vs. New York Knicks | L 109-98 | |
| Dec 15, 1983 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 114-104 | |
| Dec 16, 1983 | vs. San Diego Clippers | W 122-109 | |
| Dec 18, 1983 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 122-115 | |
| Dec 20, 1983 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 108-102 | |
| Dec 22, 1983 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 109-102 | |
| Dec 23, 1983 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 123-116 | |
| Dec 25, 1983 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 141-121 | |
| Dec 27, 1983 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 118-116 | |
| Dec 30, 1983 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 116-105 | |
| Jan 03, 1984 | @ New York Knicks | L 117-105 | |
| Jan 04, 1984 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 106-99 | |
| Jan 06, 1984 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 124-117 | |
| Jan 08, 1984 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 129-118 | |
| Jan 10, 1984 | @ Houston Rockets | W 136-132 | |
| Jan 12, 1984 | @ Kansas City Kings | W 95-89 | |
| Jan 13, 1984 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 141-134 | |
| Jan 15, 1984 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 102-91 | |
| Jan 17, 1984 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 108-95 | |
| Jan 19, 1984 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 138-123 | |
| Jan 21, 1984 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 113-108 | |
| Jan 24, 1984 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 116-110 | |
| Jan 26, 1984 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 131-102 | |
| Jan 31, 1984 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 129-124 | |
| Feb 01, 1984 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 116-108 | |
| Feb 03, 1984 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 109-105 | |
| Feb 05, 1984 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 110-98 | |
| Feb 07, 1984 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 106-105 | |
| Feb 08, 1984 | @ Boston Celtics | W 111-109 | |
| Feb 10, 1984 | @ Washington Bullets | L 96-93 | |
| Feb 12, 1984 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 108-87 | |
| Feb 17, 1984 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 141-138 | |
| Feb 18, 1984 | @ San Diego Clippers | W 120-116 | |
| Feb 21, 1984 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 128-112 | |
| Feb 22, 1984 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 121-114 | |
| Feb 24, 1984 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 116-108 | |
| Feb 26, 1984 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 101-99 | |
| Feb 28, 1984 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 124-108 | |
| Feb 29, 1984 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 102-92 | |
| Mar 02, 1984 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 98-94 | |
| Mar 04, 1984 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 118-114 | |
| Mar 07, 1984 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 113-105 | |
| Mar 09, 1984 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 121-120 | |
| Mar 10, 1984 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 126-114 | |
| Mar 13, 1984 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 114-98 | |
| Mar 15, 1984 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 143-124 | |
| Mar 17, 1984 | @ Houston Rockets | W 123-111 | |
| Mar 20, 1984 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 99-94 | |
| Mar 21, 1984 | @ Kansas City Kings | W 123-116 | |
| Mar 23, 1984 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 121-118 | |
| Mar 25, 1984 | vs. San Diego Clippers | W 114-102 | |
| Mar 28, 1984 | @ San Diego Clippers | L 122-115 | |
| Mar 29, 1984 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 115-109 | |
| Mar 31, 1984 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 119-97 | |
| Apr 01, 1984 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 121-110 | |
| Apr 03, 1984 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 137-109 | |
| Apr 05, 1984 | @ Utah Jazz | W 129-115 | |
| Apr 06, 1984 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 112-97 | |
| Apr 08, 1984 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 119-113 | |
| Apr 10, 1984 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 117-115 | |
| Apr 11, 1984 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 121-108 | |
| Apr 13, 1984 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 104-103 | |
| Apr 15, 1984 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 123-114 |