The 1972-73 Los Angeles Lakers season was a follow-up to their championship-winning campaign the previous year. Coached by Bill Sharman, the Lakers aimed to defend their NBA title with a roster headlined by Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, and Gail Goodrich. They finished the regular season with a 60-22 record, securing the top seed in the Western Conference.
During the regular season, the Lakers showcased their prowess with a potent offense, averaging 112.9 points per game, and a solid defense, allowing just 106.3 points per game. Jerry West led the team in scoring, averaging 22.8 points and 8.8 assists per game, while Wilt Chamberlain dominated the boards with an average of 18.6 rebounds per game. The team’s balance and depth were evident, as they were effective on both ends of the floor.
In the playoffs, the Lakers reached the Western Conference Finals, defeating the Chicago Bulls in the semifinals. They then faced the Golden State Warriors, overcoming them to advance to the NBA Finals. However, their title defense was thwarted by the New York Knicks, who defeated the Lakers in five games to claim the championship. Despite falling short, the Lakers’ season was marked by strong performances and continued excellence, maintaining their status as one of the league’s elite teams.
- Regular Season Record: 60-22
- Playoff Result: Western Conference Semifinals: 4-3, Western Conference Finals: 4-1, NBA Finals: 1-4
Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats for 1972-73 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Gail Goodrich | 76 | 23.9 | 3.4 | 4.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 17 | 20.0 | 3.6 | 3.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jerry West | 69 | 22.8 | 4.2 | 8.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 17 | 23.6 | 4.5 | 7.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jim McMillian | 81 | 18.9 | 5.5 | 2.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 17 | 20.1 | 4.8 | 2.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Happy Hairston | 28 | 16.3 | 13.2 | 2.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Wilt Chamberlain | 82 | 13.2 | 18.6 | 4.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 17 | 10.4 | 22.5 | 3.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Bill Bridges | 72 | 9.8 | 10.9 | 2.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 17 | 8.9 | 9.3 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Keith Erickson | 76 | 9.0 | 4.4 | 3.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 17 | 8.6 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Pat Riley | 55 | 7.3 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 7 | 2.6 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jim Price | 59 | 6.4 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Flynn Robinson | 6 | 5.7 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Mel Counts | 59 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 17 | 9.1 | 6.1 | 1.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Travis Grant | 33 | 3.8 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Leroy Ellis | 10 | 2.6 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| John Trapp | 5 | 2.6 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Bill Turner | 19 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Roger Brown | 1 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Los Angeles Lakers in the 1973 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs Second Round vs. Chicago Bulls
In the 1973 NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers faced the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Semifinals. Despite having the legendary Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West in their ranks, the Lakers were surprisingly eliminated by the Warriors, who won the series 4-1. This upset marked a significant moment as it ended the Lakers' hopes of defending their 1972 championship title.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 30, 1973 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 107-104 | |
| Apr 01, 1973 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 108-93 | |
| Apr 06, 1973 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 96-86 | |
| Apr 08, 1973 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 98-94 | |
| Apr 10, 1973 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 123-102 | |
| Apr 13, 1973 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 101-93 | |
| Apr 15, 1973 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 95-92 |
1973 Conference Championship vs. Golden State Warriors
In the 1973 NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers reached the Western Conference Finals, where they faced the Golden State Warriors. Despite a strong regular season led by the legendary Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West, the Lakers were ultimately defeated by the Warriors in six games. This marked a surprising end to their playoff run, as they couldn't capitalize on their previous year's championship momentum.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 1973 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 101-99 | |
| Apr 19, 1973 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 104-93 | |
| Apr 21, 1973 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 126-70 | |
| Apr 23, 1973 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 117-109 | |
| Apr 25, 1973 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 128-118 |
1973 NBA Finals vs. New York Knicks
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 01, 1973 | vs. New York Knicks | W 115-112 | |
| May 03, 1973 | vs. New York Knicks | L 99-95 | |
| May 06, 1973 | @ New York Knicks | L 87-83 | |
| May 08, 1973 | @ New York Knicks | L 103-98 | |
| May 10, 1973 | vs. New York Knicks | L 102-93 |
Los Angeles Lakers 1972-73 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1972-73 season for the Los Angeles Lakers.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 11, 1972 | @ Kansas City-Omaha Kings | W 129-94 | |
| Oct 13, 1972 | @ Boston Celtics | L 112-104 | |
| Oct 14, 1972 | @ New York Knicks | L 125-100 | |
| Oct 15, 1972 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 95-83 | |
| Oct 20, 1972 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 126-104 | |
| Oct 22, 1972 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 104-99 | |
| Oct 24, 1972 | @ Kansas City-Omaha Kings | W 114-94 | |
| Oct 25, 1972 | @ Houston Rockets | W 112-107 | |
| Oct 27, 1972 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 119-91 | |
| Oct 29, 1972 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 133-123 | |
| Nov 03, 1972 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 116-107 | |
| Nov 04, 1972 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 134-120 | |
| Nov 05, 1972 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 124-115 | |
| Nov 07, 1972 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 122-109 | |
| Nov 10, 1972 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 118-88 | |
| Nov 14, 1972 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 95-92 | |
| Nov 15, 1972 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 110-99 | |
| Nov 17, 1972 | vs. Buffalo Braves | W 103-100 | |
| Nov 19, 1972 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 135-95 | |
| Nov 24, 1972 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 140-123 | |
| Nov 25, 1972 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 116-109 | |
| Nov 26, 1972 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 112-107 | |
| Dec 01, 1972 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 114-109 | |
| Dec 02, 1972 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 112-103 | |
| Dec 05, 1972 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 116-94 | |
| Dec 08, 1972 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 119-100 | |
| Dec 10, 1972 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 137-101 | |
| Dec 12, 1972 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 106-105 | |
| Dec 13, 1972 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 128-90 | |
| Dec 15, 1972 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 102-98 | |
| Dec 19, 1972 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 126-100 | |
| Dec 20, 1972 | @ Baltimore Bullets | W 96-90 | |
| Dec 22, 1972 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 118-110 | |
| Dec 26, 1972 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 116-92 | |
| Dec 27, 1972 | @ Houston Rockets | L 136-104 | |
| Dec 29, 1972 | vs. Kansas City-Omaha Kings | W 123-92 | |
| Jan 01, 1973 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 108-103 | |
| Jan 02, 1973 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 112-106 | |
| Jan 06, 1973 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 108-93 | |
| Jan 07, 1973 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 99-92 | |
| Jan 10, 1973 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 120-96 | |
| Jan 12, 1973 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 109-97 | |
| Jan 14, 1973 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 102-100 | |
| Jan 16, 1973 | vs. Baltimore Bullets | L 112-104 | |
| Jan 19, 1973 | vs. New York Knicks | W 95-88 | |
| Jan 20, 1973 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 124-104 | |
| Jan 21, 1973 | vs. Kansas City-Omaha Kings | W 123-102 | |
| Jan 26, 1973 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 100-84 | |
| Jan 27, 1973 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 122-107 | |
| Jan 28, 1973 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 130-94 | |
| Jan 30, 1973 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 95-92 | |
| Feb 01, 1973 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 120-106 | |
| Feb 02, 1973 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 126-109 | |
| Feb 04, 1973 | @ Baltimore Bullets | W 125-115 | |
| Feb 06, 1973 | @ New York Knicks | W 95-90 | |
| Feb 07, 1973 | @ Boston Celtics | L 113-112 | |
| Feb 09, 1973 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 109-88 | |
| Feb 11, 1973 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 108-90 | |
| Feb 13, 1973 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 101-98 | |
| Feb 16, 1973 | vs. Baltimore Bullets | W 121-103 | |
| Feb 17, 1973 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 110-103 | |
| Feb 18, 1973 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 99-92 | |
| Feb 20, 1973 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 103-89 | |
| Feb 21, 1973 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 106-98 | |
| Feb 23, 1973 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 111-106 | |
| Feb 25, 1973 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 91-82 | |
| Feb 27, 1973 | vs. Kansas City-Omaha Kings | L 107-103 | |
| Mar 02, 1973 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 108-88 | |
| Mar 04, 1973 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 127-84 | |
| Mar 06, 1973 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 114-102 | |
| Mar 09, 1973 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 119-111 | |
| Mar 11, 1973 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 141-117 | |
| Mar 13, 1973 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 121-112 | |
| Mar 14, 1973 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 121-112 | |
| Mar 16, 1973 | vs. New York Knicks | L 109-98 | |
| Mar 18, 1973 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 131-113 | |
| Mar 20, 1973 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 114-112 | |
| Mar 21, 1973 | @ Kansas City-Omaha Kings | W 124-118 | |
| Mar 23, 1973 | vs. Buffalo Braves | W 121-101 | |
| Mar 25, 1973 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 109-93 | |
| Mar 27, 1973 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 85-84 | |
| Mar 28, 1973 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 96-89 |