The 1984-85 Los Angeles Lakers season was a pivotal one, characterized by both redemption and dominance. The team, under the leadership of head coach Pat Riley, sought to recover from their defeat in the previous year’s NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. The Lakers completed the regular season with an impressive 62-20 record, securing the top seed in the Western Conference.
The roster was stacked with talent, including Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy, all of whom played crucial roles throughout the season. Magic Johnson, in particular, delivered an outstanding performance, averaging 18.3 points, 12.6 assists, and 6.2 rebounds per game. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, meanwhile, continued to be a force in the paint, contributing 22.0 points and 7.9 rebounds per game.
In the playoffs, the Lakers exhibited their dominance by defeating the Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, and Denver Nuggets to advance to the NBA Finals. In a highly anticipated rematch with the Boston Celtics, the Lakers were victorious, winning the series 4-2. This victory marked the Lakers’ first Finals win over the Celtics and their ninth NBA championship overall. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was named Finals MVP, silencing critics with his age-defying performances. The 1984-85 season is remembered as a key moment in Lakers history, showcasing their resilience and ability to overcome past disappointments.
- Regular Season Record: 62-20
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 3-0, Western Conference Semifinals: 4-1, Western Conference Finals: 4-1, NBA Finals: 4-2
Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats for 1984-85 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 79 | 22.0 | 7.9 | 3.1 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 0.0 | 19 | 21.9 | 8.1 | 4.0 | 1.2 | 1.9 | 0.0 |
| Magic Johnson | 77 | 18.3 | 6.2 | 12.6 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 18.9 | 19 | 17.5 | 7.1 | 15.2 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 14.3 |
| James Worthy | 80 | 17.6 | 6.4 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 19 | 21.5 | 5.1 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 50.0 |
| Byron Scott | 81 | 16.0 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 43.3 | 19 | 16.9 | 2.7 | 2.6 | 2.2 | 0.2 | 47.6 |
| Bob McAdoo | 66 | 10.5 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 19 | 11.4 | 4.5 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 0.0 |
| Mike McGee | 76 | 10.2 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 36.1 | 17 | 11.2 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 50.0 |
| Michael Cooper | 82 | 8.6 | 3.1 | 5.2 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 28.5 | 19 | 10.4 | 4.0 | 4.9 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 30.8 |
| Jamaal Wilkes | 42 | 8.3 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Larry Spriggs | 75 | 6.7 | 3.0 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 16 | 6.1 | 3.2 | 2.1 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Mitch Kupchak | 58 | 5.3 | 3.2 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 16 | 4.7 | 3.0 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Kurt Rambis | 82 | 5.2 | 6.4 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 19 | 6.1 | 6.8 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Ronnie Lester | 32 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 9 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Chuck Nevitt | 11 | 1.1 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 7 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 0.0 |
| Earl Jones | 2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
Los Angeles Lakers in the 1985 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Phoenix Suns
In the first round of the 1985 NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers faced the Phoenix Suns and showcased their dominant form. Led by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Lakers swept the Suns in a best-of-five series, winning 3-0. Their decisive performance set the tone for a successful playoff run, culminating in an NBA Championship victory.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 18, 1985 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 142-114 | |
| Apr 20, 1985 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 147-130 | |
| Apr 23, 1985 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 119-103 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Portland Trail Blazers
In the 1985 NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers faced a formidable challenge in the second round against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Lakers, led by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, showcased their championship pedigree by defeating Portland 4-1 in the series. This victory propelled them deeper into the postseason, ultimately setting the stage for their eventual triumph in the NBA Finals.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 27, 1985 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 125-101 | |
| Apr 30, 1985 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 134-118 | |
| May 03, 1985 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 130-126 | |
| May 05, 1985 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 115-107 | |
| May 07, 1985 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 139-120 |
1985 Conference Championship vs. Denver Nuggets
In the 1985 NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers triumphed in the Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets, showcasing their dominance with a 4-1 series victory. Led by the legendary Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Lakers displayed exceptional teamwork and versatility, setting the stage for their memorable clash with the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. This series was pivotal in the Lakers' quest to overcome the u0022Boston jinx,u0022 ultimately leading to their first championship win against their historic rivals.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 11, 1985 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 139-122 | |
| May 14, 1985 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 136-114 | |
| May 17, 1985 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 136-118 | |
| May 19, 1985 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 120-116 | |
| May 22, 1985 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 153-109 |
1985 NBA Finals vs. Boston Celtics
In the 1985 NBA Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers made history by defeating the Boston Celtics 4-2, marking the first time they beat their rivals in the Finals after eight previous attempts. Led by Magic Johnson's playmaking and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's resurgence after a sluggish start, the Lakers clinched the championship at the Boston Garden, erasing the u0022Boston jinxu0022 and cementing their legacy. Abdul-Jabbar's Finals MVP performance was pivotal, as he averaged 25.7 points and 9 rebounds per game, showcasing his enduring dominance.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 27, 1985 | @ Boston Celtics | L 148-114 | |
| May 30, 1985 | @ Boston Celtics | W 109-102 | |
| Jun 02, 1985 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 136-111 | |
| Jun 05, 1985 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 107-105 | |
| Jun 07, 1985 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 120-111 | |
| Jun 09, 1985 | @ Boston Celtics | W 111-100 |
Los Angeles Lakers 1984-85 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1984-85 season for the Los Angeles Lakers.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 27, 1984 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 113-112 | |
| Oct 28, 1984 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 107-96 | |
| Oct 30, 1984 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 144-110 | |
| Nov 01, 1984 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 105-103 | |
| Nov 02, 1984 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 119-100 | |
| Nov 04, 1984 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 124-116 | |
| Nov 06, 1984 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 146-130 | |
| Nov 08, 1984 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 122-106 | |
| Nov 09, 1984 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 130-126 | |
| Nov 11, 1984 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 121-111 | |
| Nov 16, 1984 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 128-116 | |
| Nov 18, 1984 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 96-89 | |
| Nov 20, 1984 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 130-108 | |
| Nov 21, 1984 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 102-97 | |
| Nov 24, 1984 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 108-103 | |
| Nov 25, 1984 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 105-94 | |
| Nov 28, 1984 | @ Utah Jazz | W 114-109 | |
| Nov 30, 1984 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 130-121 | |
| Dec 02, 1984 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 113-112 | |
| Dec 04, 1984 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 116-112 | |
| Dec 05, 1984 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 104-93 | |
| Dec 07, 1984 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 122-116 | |
| Dec 08, 1984 | @ Washington Bullets | L 101-98 | |
| Dec 12, 1984 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 131-107 | |
| Dec 13, 1984 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 124-122 | |
| Dec 16, 1984 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 109-101 | |
| Dec 18, 1984 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 117-116 | |
| Dec 19, 1984 | @ Houston Rockets | W 123-116 | |
| Dec 21, 1984 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 119-105 | |
| Dec 26, 1984 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 101-97 | |
| Dec 28, 1984 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 135-123 | |
| Dec 29, 1984 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 113-107 | |
| Jan 04, 1985 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 120-95 | |
| Jan 06, 1985 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 99-98 | |
| Jan 08, 1985 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 126-124 | |
| Jan 10, 1985 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 120-112 | |
| Jan 11, 1985 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 121-102 | |
| Jan 13, 1985 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 121-98 | |
| Jan 15, 1985 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 115-105 | |
| Jan 16, 1985 | @ Boston Celtics | L 104-102 | |
| Jan 18, 1985 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 110-92 | |
| Jan 19, 1985 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 139-109 | |
| Jan 22, 1985 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 123-114 | |
| Jan 25, 1985 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 109-104 | |
| Jan 26, 1985 | @ Utah Jazz | L 96-83 | |
| Jan 29, 1985 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 122-106 | |
| Jan 30, 1985 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 116-113 | |
| Feb 01, 1985 | vs. New York Knicks | W 105-104 | |
| Feb 02, 1985 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 105-96 | |
| Feb 03, 1985 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 122-100 | |
| Feb 05, 1985 | @ Houston Rockets | W 113-104 | |
| Feb 12, 1985 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 121-110 | |
| Feb 15, 1985 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 120-111 | |
| Feb 17, 1985 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 117-111 | |
| Feb 19, 1985 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 127-117 | |
| Feb 21, 1985 | @ Kansas City Kings | W 123-117 | |
| Feb 22, 1985 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 122-113 | |
| Feb 24, 1985 | @ New York Knicks | W 119-114 | |
| Feb 26, 1985 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 100-94 | |
| Feb 28, 1985 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 117-105 | |
| Mar 02, 1985 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 125-106 | |
| Mar 06, 1985 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 145-119 | |
| Mar 09, 1985 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 133-106 | |
| Mar 12, 1985 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 123-108 | |
| Mar 13, 1985 | @ Utah Jazz | W 120-105 | |
| Mar 15, 1985 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 115-114 | |
| Mar 16, 1985 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 123-112 | |
| Mar 19, 1985 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 130-112 | |
| Mar 22, 1985 | @ Houston Rockets | W 130-107 | |
| Mar 24, 1985 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 148-130 | |
| Mar 26, 1985 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 116-113 | |
| Mar 27, 1985 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 122-97 | |
| Mar 29, 1985 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 120-115 | |
| Mar 31, 1985 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 123-98 | |
| Apr 02, 1985 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 118-104 | |
| Apr 03, 1985 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 122-108 | |
| Apr 05, 1985 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 132-125 | |
| Apr 07, 1985 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 135-133 | |
| Apr 09, 1985 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 148-119 | |
| Apr 11, 1985 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 137-130 | |
| Apr 12, 1985 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 145-131 | |
| Apr 14, 1985 | @ Kansas City Kings | W 122-116 |