The 1986-87 Los Angeles Lakers season stands out as one of the most successful in the franchise’s storied history. Under the guidance of head coach Pat Riley, the Lakers dominated the NBA, finishing the regular season with an impressive 65-17 record. This achievement secured them the top seed in the Western Conference, showcasing their consistent excellence and strategic prowess throughout the season.
Led by Magic Johnson, who was awarded the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award that year, the Lakers boasted a star-studded lineup. Johnson’s exceptional vision and leadership on the court were complemented by the scoring prowess of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the dynamic play of James Worthy. The team was renowned for its fast-paced “Showtime” offense, which overwhelmed opponents and thrilled fans across the league.
The Lakers carried their regular-season momentum into the playoffs, defeating the Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, and Seattle SuperSonics to reach the NBA Finals. In the Finals, they faced their arch-rivals, the Boston Celtics. The Lakers emerged victorious in six games, capturing the championship and solidifying their legacy. Magic Johnson earned the NBA Finals MVP award for his outstanding performance, particularly his leadership and clutch plays.
The 1986-87 season is remembered not only for the Lakers’ championship triumph but also for the team’s tactical brilliance and individual accolades. Their success during this period helped define an era of basketball excellence and left an indelible mark on the NBA’s 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 the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers dominated the series, sweeping Denver 3-0, showcasing their offensive prowess and solidifying their status as strong contenders for the championship. This strong start set the tone for their successful playoff run, ultimately leading to an NBA title.
| 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 four games. Led by Magic Johnson's exceptional playmaking and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's scoring prowess, the Lakers' fast-paced offense and stifling defense overwhelmed the Warriors, setting the stage for their eventual championship run. This performance was a testament to the Lakers' balanced roster and strategic acumen under coach Pat Riley.
| 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 defeating the Seattle SuperSonics in a decisive 4-0 sweep. Led by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Lakers' fast-paced u0022Showtimeu0022 offense left the Sonics struggling to keep up. This victory propelled the Lakers to the NBA Finals, where they continued their championship quest against the Boston Celtics.
| 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
The Los Angeles Lakers clinched the 1987 NBA Finals by defeating the Boston Celtics 4-2, securing their fourth championship of the decade. Led by Magic Johnson, who earned the Finals MVP with his exceptional playmaking and leadership, the series featured his iconic u0022junior sky hooku0022 in Game 4, helping solidify their legacy as the u0022Showtimeu0022 Lakers. This victory marked a pivotal moment in the Lakers-Celtics rivalry and highlighted the team's dominance during the 1980s.
| 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 |