The 1978-79 Los Angeles Lakers season was a pivotal one, marking a transition period for the franchise. This season was notable for the team’s overall performance, as they finished with a 47-35 record. This placed them in second position in the Pacific Division. The Lakers were led by head coach Jerry West, who was in his final season at the helm. Under his guidance, the team showcased a strong competitive spirit, although they lacked the consistency needed to dominate the division.
The roster featured standout players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who continued to be a dominant force, averaging 23.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. His performance was instrumental in the Lakers’ regular-season success, and he was selected for the All-NBA First Team. Despite Abdul-Jabbar’s excellence, the Lakers faced challenges in maintaining a balanced attack, which was evident in their playoff performance.
In the postseason, the Lakers faced the Seattle SuperSonics in the Western Conference Semifinals. The series proved to be a tough battle, with the Lakers ultimately falling to the SuperSonics 4-1. This playoff exit highlighted the need for additional depth and talent on the roster. The conclusion of the 1978-79 season set the stage for significant changes, including the eventual drafting of Magic Johnson, which would reshape the team’s future and lead to a period of sustained success in the 1980s.
- Regular Season Record: 47-35
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 2-1, Western Conference Semifinals: 1-4
Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats for 1978-79 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 80 | 23.8 | 12.8 | 5.4 | 0.9 | 4.0 | 0.0 | 8 | 28.5 | 12.6 | 4.8 | 1.0 | 4.0 | 0.0 |
| Jamaal Wilkes | 82 | 18.6 | 7.4 | 2.8 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 8 | 18.4 | 8.5 | 2.0 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Adrian Dantley | 60 | 17.3 | 5.7 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 8 | 17.6 | 4.1 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Norm Nixon | 82 | 17.1 | 2.8 | 9.0 | 2.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 8 | 15.4 | 3.5 | 11.8 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Lou Hudson | 78 | 9.8 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 6 | 6.3 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Ron Boone | 82 | 7.4 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 8 | 11.8 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Kenny Carr | 72 | 7.4 | 4.1 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 8 | 5.4 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Don Ford | 79 | 6.7 | 3.4 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 8 | 4.1 | 2.8 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Jim Price | 75 | 5.3 | 1.7 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 8 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Dave Robisch | 80 | 4.8 | 3.6 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 5 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Brad Davis | 5 | 3.8 | 0.2 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Ron Carter | 46 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Michael Cooper | 3 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
Los Angeles Lakers in the 1979 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Denver Nuggets
In the 1979 NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers faced the Denver Nuggets in the first round. The Lakers, led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, emerged victorious in the best-of-three series, winning 2-1. Abdul-Jabbar's dominant performances were instrumental in securing their advancement, showcasing his exceptional skill and leadership on the court.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 10, 1979 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 110-105 | |
| Apr 13, 1979 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 121-109 | |
| Apr 15, 1979 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 112-111 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Seattle SuperSonics
In the 1979 NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers faced a formidable challenge in the Western Conference Semifinals against the Seattle SuperSonics. Despite a strong roster featuring Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Lakers struggled and were ultimately defeated by the SuperSonics in five games. Seattle's tenacious defense and cohesive play proved too much for Los Angeles, paving the way for the Sonics to eventually win the NBA Championship.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 112-101 | |
| Apr 18, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 108-103 | |
| Apr 20, 1979 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 118-112 | |
| Apr 22, 1979 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 117-115 | |
| Apr 25, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 106-100 |
Los Angeles Lakers 1978-79 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1978-79 season for the Los Angeles Lakers.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 13, 1978 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 110-102 | |
| Oct 14, 1978 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 102-100 | |
| Oct 17, 1978 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 113-111 | |
| Oct 22, 1978 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 134-121 | |
| Oct 24, 1978 | @ San Diego Clippers | L 124-123 | |
| Oct 27, 1978 | vs. San Diego Clippers | W 113-101 | |
| Oct 29, 1978 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 109-93 | |
| Oct 31, 1978 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 134-107 | |
| Nov 03, 1978 | vs. New York Knicks | W 147-124 | |
| Nov 05, 1978 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 117-107 | |
| Nov 07, 1978 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 112-111 | |
| Nov 08, 1978 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 113-111 | |
| Nov 10, 1978 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 136-127 | |
| Nov 12, 1978 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 134-106 | |
| Nov 14, 1978 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 137-119 | |
| Nov 15, 1978 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 133-126 | |
| Nov 17, 1978 | vs. New Orleans Jazz | W 121-109 | |
| Nov 19, 1978 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 104-95 | |
| Nov 22, 1978 | @ Houston Rockets | W 121-114 | |
| Nov 24, 1978 | @ Washington Bullets | L 113-103 | |
| Nov 25, 1978 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 109-103 | |
| Nov 28, 1978 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 105-103 | |
| Dec 01, 1978 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 130-122 | |
| Dec 03, 1978 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 107-105 | |
| Dec 05, 1978 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 114-102 | |
| Dec 06, 1978 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 112-111 | |
| Dec 08, 1978 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 101-85 | |
| Dec 10, 1978 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 88-86 | |
| Dec 12, 1978 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 117-115 | |
| Dec 13, 1978 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 117-107 | |
| Dec 15, 1978 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 100-98 | |
| Dec 16, 1978 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 119-100 | |
| Dec 17, 1978 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 103-96 | |
| Dec 22, 1978 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 127-115 | |
| Dec 26, 1978 | vs. New Orleans Jazz | L 125-123 | |
| Dec 27, 1978 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 106-104 | |
| Dec 29, 1978 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 118-95 | |
| Jan 02, 1979 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 109-105 | |
| Jan 03, 1979 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 99-96 | |
| Jan 06, 1979 | @ Houston Rockets | L 115-112 | |
| Jan 09, 1979 | @ New York Knicks | W 106-94 | |
| Jan 10, 1979 | @ Boston Celtics | W 99-89 | |
| Jan 12, 1979 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 117-116 | |
| Jan 14, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 108-99 | |
| Jan 17, 1979 | @ San Diego Clippers | L 119-117 | |
| Jan 19, 1979 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 122-121 | |
| Jan 21, 1979 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 113-107 | |
| Jan 23, 1979 | vs. New York Knicks | W 148-124 | |
| Jan 25, 1979 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 135-100 | |
| Jan 26, 1979 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 119-107 | |
| Jan 28, 1979 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 111-109 | |
| Jan 30, 1979 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 127-108 | |
| Feb 06, 1979 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 119-111 | |
| Feb 07, 1979 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 106-104 | |
| Feb 09, 1979 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 106-103 | |
| Feb 11, 1979 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 104-103 | |
| Feb 13, 1979 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 117-111 | |
| Feb 16, 1979 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 99-98 | |
| Feb 18, 1979 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 122-111 | |
| Feb 20, 1979 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 102-91 | |
| Feb 23, 1979 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 113-104 | |
| Feb 25, 1979 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 118-108 | |
| Feb 27, 1979 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 122-114 | |
| Mar 02, 1979 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 126-111 | |
| Mar 04, 1979 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 113-99 | |
| Mar 09, 1979 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 102-92 | |
| Mar 11, 1979 | @ Boston Celtics | L 108-106 | |
| Mar 13, 1979 | @ Washington Bullets | L 120-111 | |
| Mar 14, 1979 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 125-112 | |
| Mar 16, 1979 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 111-110 | |
| Mar 18, 1979 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 122-111 | |
| Mar 21, 1979 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 114-110 | |
| Mar 23, 1979 | vs. San Diego Clippers | W 156-119 | |
| Mar 25, 1979 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 123-113 | |
| Mar 28, 1979 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 112-106 | |
| Mar 30, 1979 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 124-113 | |
| Apr 01, 1979 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 112-111 | |
| Apr 03, 1979 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 97-95 | |
| Apr 04, 1979 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 115-111 | |
| Apr 06, 1979 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 113-93 | |
| Apr 07, 1979 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 99-98 | |
| Apr 08, 1979 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 111-103 |