The 1986-87 Los Angeles Lakers season is often remembered as one of the most dominant in NBA history. Coached by Pat Riley, the Lakers finished the regular season with a 65-17 record, securing the top seed in the Western Conference. This season marked a significant shift toward Magic Johnson as the focal point of the team’s offense, with Johnson winning his first NBA MVP award by averaging 23.9 points, 12.2 assists, and 6.3 rebounds per game.
The Lakers’ roster featured an impressive lineup, including Hall of Famers like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was still a crucial contributor at age 39, and James Worthy, whose scoring and defensive abilities were vital. The team’s style of play, known as “Showtime,” emphasized fast breaks and high-tempo offense, entertaining fans and overwhelming opponents.
In the playoffs, the Lakers continued their dominance, sweeping the Denver Nuggets in the first round, defeating the Golden State Warriors in five games in the conference semifinals, and outlasting the Seattle SuperSonics in four games in the Western Conference Finals. Their playoff run culminated in a six-game victory over the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals, earning the franchise its tenth championship. Magic Johnson was named the Finals MVP, further solidifying his role as the team leader.
The 1986-87 season is a benchmark for excellence in the NBA, with the Lakers’ combination of star power, coaching, and innovative playing style leaving a lasting legacy in basketball history.
- Regular Season Record: 65-17
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 3-0, Western Conference Semifinals: 4-1, Western Conference Finals: 4-0, NBA Finals: 4-2
Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats for 1986-87 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Magic Johnson | 80 | 23.9 | 6.3 | 12.2 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 20.5 | 18 | 21.8 | 7.7 | 12.2 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 20.0 |
| James Worthy | 82 | 19.4 | 5.7 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 18 | 23.6 | 5.6 | 3.5 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 0.0 |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 78 | 17.5 | 6.7 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 33.2 | 18 | 19.2 | 6.8 | 2.0 | 0.4 | 1.9 | 0.0 |
| Byron Scott | 82 | 17.0 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 43.6 | 18 | 14.8 | 3.4 | 3.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 20.6 |
| A.C. Green | 79 | 10.8 | 7.8 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 18 | 11.5 | 7.9 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Michael Cooper | 82 | 10.5 | 3.1 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 38.5 | 18 | 13.0 | 3.3 | 5.0 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 48.6 |
| Mychal Thompson | 33 | 10.1 | 4.1 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 18 | 8.8 | 4.9 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 0.0 |
| Kurt Rambis | 78 | 5.7 | 5.8 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 17 | 4.6 | 3.9 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Billy Thompson | 59 | 5.6 | 2.9 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 3 | 4.7 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Adrian Branch | 32 | 4.3 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 11 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Wes Matthews | 50 | 4.2 | 0.9 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 33.3 | 12 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Frank Brickowski | 37 | 3.9 | 2.6 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Mike Smrek | 35 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 10 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0.0 |
Los Angeles Lakers in the 1987 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Denver Nuggets
In the first round of the 1987 NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers, led by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, faced off against the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers dominated the series, sweeping the Nuggets 3-0, showcasing their offensive prowess and solid defense. This set the tone for a strong playoff run, eventually leading to their fourth NBA Championship of the decade.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 23, 1987 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 128-95 | |
| Apr 25, 1987 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 139-127 | |
| Apr 29, 1987 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 140-103 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Golden State Warriors
In the 1987 NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers showcased their dominance in the second round by sweeping the Golden State Warriors in a 4-0 series victory. Led by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Lakers' potent combination of fast-paced offense and tight defense overwhelmed the Warriors, setting the stage for their eventual championship run. This series highlighted the Lakers' depth and versatility, with significant contributions from key players like James Worthy and Byron Scott.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 05, 1987 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 125-116 | |
| May 07, 1987 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 116-101 | |
| May 09, 1987 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 133-108 | |
| May 10, 1987 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 129-121 | |
| May 12, 1987 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 118-106 |
1987 Conference Championship vs. Seattle SuperSonics
In the 1987 NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers showcased their dominance in the Western Conference Finals by sweeping the Seattle SuperSonics in four games. Led by Magic Johnson's exceptional playmaking and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's veteran presence, the u0022Showtimeu0022 Lakers executed their fast-paced, high-scoring style to perfection, outclassing their opponents and securing a spot in the NBA Finals. This series victory underscored their status as the team to beat and set the stage for their eventual championship triumph.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 16, 1987 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 92-87 | |
| May 19, 1987 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 112-104 | |
| May 23, 1987 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 122-121 | |
| May 25, 1987 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 133-102 |
1987 NBA Finals vs. Boston Celtics
In the 1987 NBA Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers, led by Magic Johnson, showcased their u0022Showtimeu0022 style by defeating the Boston Celtics in six games to capture the championship. Johnson's iconic u0022junior sky hooku0022 in Game 4 was a pivotal moment, as he secured his third Finals MVP award. The Lakers' victory solidified their dominance in the 1980s, marking their fourth NBA title of the decade.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 02, 1987 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 126-113 | |
| Jun 04, 1987 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 141-122 | |
| Jun 07, 1987 | @ Boston Celtics | L 109-103 | |
| Jun 09, 1987 | @ Boston Celtics | W 107-106 | |
| Jun 11, 1987 | @ Boston Celtics | L 123-108 | |
| Jun 14, 1987 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 106-93 |
Los Angeles Lakers 1986-87 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1986-87 season for the Los Angeles Lakers.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 01, 1986 | @ Houston Rockets | L 112-102 | |
| Nov 04, 1986 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 110-96 | |
| Nov 07, 1986 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 138-116 | |
| Nov 09, 1986 | vs. New York Knicks | W 111-88 | |
| Nov 12, 1986 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 122-97 | |
| Nov 16, 1986 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 113-111 | |
| Nov 18, 1986 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 114-110 | |
| Nov 19, 1986 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 117-108 | |
| Nov 21, 1986 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 111-95 | |
| Nov 23, 1986 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 127-117 | |
| Nov 25, 1986 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 113-107 | |
| Nov 26, 1986 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 126-92 | |
| Nov 28, 1986 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 110-103 | |
| Nov 30, 1986 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 137-115 | |
| Dec 04, 1986 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 116-106 | |
| Dec 05, 1986 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 112-104 | |
| Dec 07, 1986 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 132-100 | |
| Dec 09, 1986 | @ New York Knicks | W 113-87 | |
| Dec 10, 1986 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 116-93 | |
| Dec 12, 1986 | @ Boston Celtics | W 117-110 | |
| Dec 13, 1986 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 119-114 | |
| Dec 16, 1986 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 121-116 | |
| Dec 18, 1986 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 131-115 | |
| Dec 20, 1986 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 130-119 | |
| Dec 21, 1986 | @ Houston Rockets | W 103-96 | |
| Dec 23, 1986 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 127-117 | |
| Dec 26, 1986 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 134-111 | |
| Dec 28, 1986 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 111-85 | |
| Jan 01, 1987 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 140-104 | |
| Jan 02, 1987 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 155-118 | |
| Jan 04, 1987 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 121-113 | |
| Jan 07, 1987 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 147-109 | |
| Jan 08, 1987 | @ Utah Jazz | L 107-101 | |
| Jan 10, 1987 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 124-109 | |
| Jan 11, 1987 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 111-109 | |
| Jan 15, 1987 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 129-109 | |
| Jan 18, 1987 | @ Washington Bullets | W 115-101 | |
| Jan 19, 1987 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 126-115 | |
| Jan 21, 1987 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 112-109 | |
| Jan 22, 1987 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 118-108 | |
| Jan 24, 1987 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 132-117 | |
| Jan 27, 1987 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 107-100 | |
| Jan 28, 1987 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 125-101 | |
| Jan 30, 1987 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 114-102 | |
| Feb 02, 1987 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 103-99 | |
| Feb 04, 1987 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 128-92 | |
| Feb 05, 1987 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 105-104 | |
| Feb 10, 1987 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 114-98 | |
| Feb 13, 1987 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 113-108 | |
| Feb 15, 1987 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 106-103 | |
| Feb 17, 1987 | vs. Washington Bullets | L 114-99 | |
| Feb 18, 1987 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 128-122 | |
| Feb 20, 1987 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 110-100 | |
| Feb 22, 1987 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 112-110 | |
| Feb 24, 1987 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 97-93 | |
| Feb 25, 1987 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 99-91 | |
| Feb 27, 1987 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 121-109 | |
| Feb 28, 1987 | @ Utah Jazz | L 107-100 | |
| Mar 03, 1987 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 114-109 | |
| Mar 04, 1987 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 138-124 | |
| Mar 07, 1987 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 122-118 | |
| Mar 09, 1987 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 136-114 | |
| Mar 10, 1987 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 143-107 | |
| Mar 12, 1987 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 125-116 | |
| Mar 15, 1987 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 115-101 | |
| Mar 18, 1987 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 111-97 | |
| Mar 20, 1987 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 147-115 | |
| Mar 22, 1987 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 129-121 | |
| Mar 24, 1987 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 108-93 | |
| Mar 26, 1987 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 128-111 | |
| Mar 28, 1987 | @ Houston Rockets | W 123-109 | |
| Mar 31, 1987 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 111-96 | |
| Apr 02, 1987 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 117-114 | |
| Apr 03, 1987 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 127-121 | |
| Apr 05, 1987 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 126-118 | |
| Apr 06, 1987 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 135-112 | |
| Apr 09, 1987 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 118-100 | |
| Apr 10, 1987 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 131-121 | |
| Apr 12, 1987 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 119-104 | |
| Apr 16, 1987 | @ Utah Jazz | W 110-97 | |
| Apr 17, 1987 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 115-103 | |
| Apr 19, 1987 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 110-104 |