The 1977-78 Los Angeles Lakers season was a challenging one, marked by a series of ups and downs. Under the guidance of head coach Jerry West, the team ended the regular season with a 45-37 record. This placed them fourth in the Pacific Division and sixth in the Western Conference standings, which was just enough to secure a playoff berth.
The season was notable for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s exceptional performance. He led the team with an average of 25.8 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. Despite Abdul-Jabbar’s individual brilliance, the Lakers struggled with consistency throughout the season. Injuries and a lack of depth were significant hurdles that the team faced, impacting their overall performance.
In the playoffs, the Lakers faced the Seattle SuperSonics in the first round. Unfortunately, their playoff run was short-lived as they were eliminated by the SuperSonics in a closely contested three-game series, losing 2-1. This early exit highlighted the team’s need for improvement and depth to support their star player, Abdul-Jabbar, in the future.
Overall, the 1977-78 season was a period of transition for the Lakers. While they made it to the postseason, the team’s inconsistency and early playoff exit underscored the need for strategic changes to become a more formidable force in the NBA. This season laid the groundwork for future adjustments that would eventually bring success to the franchise.
- Regular Season Record: 45-37
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 1-2
Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats for 1977-78 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 62 | 25.8 | 12.9 | 4.3 | 1.6 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 3 | 27.0 | 13.7 | 3.7 | 0.7 | 4.0 | 0.0 |
| Adrian Dantley | 56 | 19.4 | 7.2 | 3.4 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 3 | 17.0 | 8.3 | 3.7 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
| James Edwards | 25 | 14.8 | 7.2 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Earl Tatum | 25 | 14.0 | 3.6 | 2.8 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Lou Hudson | 82 | 13.7 | 2.4 | 2.4 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 3 | 11.7 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Norm Nixon | 81 | 13.7 | 3.0 | 6.8 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 3 | 8.0 | 3.0 | 5.3 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Jamaal Wilkes | 51 | 12.9 | 7.5 | 3.6 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 3 | 12.0 | 8.7 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Charlie Scott | 48 | 11.7 | 3.1 | 4.8 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 3 | 10.0 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Kermit Washington | 25 | 11.5 | 11.2 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Don Ford | 79 | 7.7 | 4.5 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 1 | 0.0 | 5.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Tom Abernethy | 73 | 6.8 | 3.6 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 2 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Kenny Carr | 52 | 6.2 | 3.9 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 2 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Dave Robisch | 55 | 4.7 | 3.3 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 3 | 10.0 | 4.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Ernie DiGregorio | 25 | 3.9 | 0.9 | 2.8 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Don Chaney | 9 | 3.4 | 1.2 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Brad Davis | 33 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Los Angeles Lakers in the 1978 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Seattle SuperSonics
In the 1978 NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers faced the Seattle SuperSonics in the first round. Despite a valiant effort, the Lakers were eliminated in a highly competitive series, losing 2-1. The series highlighted Seattle’s defensive prowess and marked a pivotal moment for the Lakers, who were in transition, setting the stage for their future success in the early 1980s.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 12, 1978 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 102-90 | |
| Apr 14, 1978 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 105-99 | |
| Apr 16, 1978 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 111-102 |
Los Angeles Lakers 1977-78 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1977-78 season for the Los Angeles Lakers.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 18, 1977 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 117-112 | |
| Oct 19, 1977 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 133-120 | |
| Oct 21, 1977 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 106-101 | |
| Oct 23, 1977 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 104-101 | |
| Oct 25, 1977 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 109-107 | |
| Oct 28, 1977 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 102-95 | |
| Oct 29, 1977 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 129-118 | |
| Nov 02, 1977 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 107-102 | |
| Nov 04, 1977 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 111-99 | |
| Nov 06, 1977 | vs. New York Knicks | L 106-102 | |
| Nov 11, 1977 | vs. New Orleans Jazz | W 123-107 | |
| Nov 13, 1977 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 97-95 | |
| Nov 15, 1977 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 102-95 | |
| Nov 18, 1977 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 116-83 | |
| Nov 20, 1977 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 102-80 | |
| Nov 22, 1977 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 118-107 | |
| Nov 23, 1977 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 113-89 | |
| Nov 25, 1977 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 129-117 | |
| Nov 27, 1977 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 100-93 | |
| Nov 29, 1977 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 118-101 | |
| Nov 30, 1977 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 104-98 | |
| Dec 04, 1977 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 111-109 | |
| Dec 06, 1977 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 109-108 | |
| Dec 09, 1977 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 116-105 | |
| Dec 11, 1977 | vs. Buffalo Braves | W 124-119 | |
| Dec 13, 1977 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 117-94 | |
| Dec 14, 1977 | @ Houston Rockets | W 113-91 | |
| Dec 16, 1977 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 98-90 | |
| Dec 18, 1977 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 104-97 | |
| Dec 20, 1977 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 120-115 | |
| Dec 23, 1977 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 108-98 | |
| Dec 25, 1977 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 111-96 | |
| Dec 27, 1977 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 123-82 | |
| Dec 30, 1977 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 119-109 | |
| Jan 03, 1978 | @ New York Knicks | W 120-117 | |
| Jan 04, 1978 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 94-93 | |
| Jan 06, 1978 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 123-110 | |
| Jan 08, 1978 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 104-103 | |
| Jan 10, 1978 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 110-106 | |
| Jan 11, 1978 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 102-94 | |
| Jan 14, 1978 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 123-112 | |
| Jan 17, 1978 | vs. New York Knicks | W 121-108 | |
| Jan 20, 1978 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 121-99 | |
| Jan 22, 1978 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 106-101 | |
| Jan 24, 1978 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 117-102 | |
| Jan 27, 1978 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 131-114 | |
| Jan 29, 1978 | @ Washington Bullets | L 119-112 | |
| Jan 31, 1978 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 116-107 | |
| Feb 01, 1978 | @ Boston Celtics | L 103-100 | |
| Feb 03, 1978 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 105-99 | |
| Feb 07, 1978 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 132-105 | |
| Feb 08, 1978 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 105-95 | |
| Feb 10, 1978 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 135-107 | |
| Feb 12, 1978 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 116-103 | |
| Feb 14, 1978 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 128-114 | |
| Feb 17, 1978 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 114-106 | |
| Feb 19, 1978 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 115-93 | |
| Feb 21, 1978 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 106-104 | |
| Feb 22, 1978 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 127-122 | |
| Feb 24, 1978 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 109-99 | |
| Feb 26, 1978 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 127-124 | |
| Mar 03, 1978 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 96-95 | |
| Mar 05, 1978 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 128-117 | |
| Mar 10, 1978 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 115-109 | |
| Mar 11, 1978 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 120-114 | |
| Mar 12, 1978 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 128-112 | |
| Mar 14, 1978 | @ New York Knicks | W 135-117 | |
| Mar 15, 1978 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 113-93 | |
| Mar 17, 1978 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 105-98 | |
| Mar 19, 1978 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 101-87 | |
| Mar 21, 1978 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 109-105 | |
| Mar 22, 1978 | @ Houston Rockets | W 124-106 | |
| Mar 24, 1978 | vs. Buffalo Braves | W 120-115 | |
| Mar 26, 1978 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 110-99 | |
| Mar 28, 1978 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 105-104 | |
| Mar 29, 1978 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 108-103 | |
| Mar 31, 1978 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 103-101 | |
| Apr 02, 1978 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 133-127 | |
| Apr 04, 1978 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 103-102 | |
| Apr 05, 1978 | @ Washington Bullets | L 125-119 | |
| Apr 07, 1978 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 114-106 | |
| Apr 09, 1978 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 114-99 |