The 2011-12 Los Angeles Lakers season was notable for being the first full season without head coach Phil Jackson since 1999. The team was led by new head coach Mike Brown, who aimed to maintain the Lakers’ competitive edge in the Western Conference. Despite the offseason trade of Lamar Odom to the Dallas Mavericks, the Lakers retained their core of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Andrew Bynum.
The season was shortened to 66 games due to a lockout, impacting team preparation and dynamics. The Lakers finished with a 41-25 record, securing the third seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Kobe Bryant was instrumental, finishing second in the NBA in scoring with an average of 27.9 points per game. Andrew Bynum emerged as a dominant center, earning his first All-Star selection and averaging career highs in points and rebounds.
In the playoffs, the Lakers faced the Denver Nuggets in the first round, winning the series in seven games. However, their postseason run ended in the second round against the Oklahoma City Thunder, losing the series 4-1. The season highlighted the team’s struggles with roster depth and defensive consistency, issues that would prompt further changes in the subsequent offseason. Overall, the 2011-12 season was marked by transition and the end of an era, setting the stage for future rebuilding efforts.
- Regular Season Record: 41-25
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 4-3, Western Conference Semifinals: 1-4
Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats for 2011-12 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Kobe Bryant | 58 | 27.9 | 5.4 | 4.6 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 30.3 | 12 | 30.0 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 28.3 |
| Andrew Bynum | 60 | 18.7 | 11.8 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 1.9 | 20.0 | 12 | 16.7 | 11.1 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 3.1 | 0.0 |
| Pau Gasol | 65 | 17.4 | 10.4 | 3.6 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 25.9 | 12 | 12.5 | 9.5 | 3.7 | 0.5 | 2.1 | 40.0 |
| Ramon Sessions | 23 | 12.7 | 3.8 | 6.2 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 48.6 | 12 | 9.7 | 3.0 | 3.6 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 16.0 |
| Christian Eyenga | 1 | 8.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 3 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Matt Barnes | 63 | 7.8 | 5.5 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 33.3 | 11 | 3.5 | 3.3 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 16.1 |
| Metta World Peace | 64 | 7.7 | 3.4 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 29.6 | 6 | 11.7 | 3.5 | 2.3 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 38.9 |
| Derek Fisher | 43 | 5.9 | 2.1 | 3.3 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 32.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Steve Blake | 53 | 5.2 | 1.6 | 3.3 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 33.5 | 12 | 6.3 | 2.8 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 41.9 |
| Jordan Hill | 7 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 12 | 4.8 | 6.3 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.0 |
| Andrew Goudelock | 40 | 4.4 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 37.3 | 4 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 100.0 |
| Devin Ebanks | 24 | 4.0 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 9 | 4.1 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.0 |
| Troy Murphy | 59 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 41.8 | 4 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 100.0 |
| Josh McRoberts | 50 | 2.8 | 3.4 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 42.9 | 6 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Darius Morris | 19 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 44.4 | 4 | 2.5 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 100.0 |
| Jason Kapono | 27 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 29.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Luke Walton | 9 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Los Angeles Lakers in the 2012 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Denver Nuggets
In the 2012 NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers faced the Denver Nuggets in a thrilling first-round matchup. The series went to a decisive Game 7, where the Lakers' experience and the dominant presence of Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol in the paint sealed the victory. Kobe Bryant's leadership and scoring prowess were instrumental as the Lakers advanced, highlighting their resilience and depth against a young and energetic Nuggets team.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 29, 2012 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 103-88 | |
| May 01, 2012 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 104-100 | |
| May 04, 2012 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 99-84 | |
| May 06, 2012 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 92-88 | |
| May 08, 2012 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 102-99 | |
| May 10, 2012 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 113-96 | |
| May 12, 2012 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 96-87 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
In the 2012 NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers faced the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round. Despite a strong effort from Kobe Bryant, the Lakers struggled against the youthful energy and dynamic play of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden, ultimately losing the series 4-1. The Thunder's speed and athleticism overwhelmed the Lakers, highlighting the need for the team to address its roster depth and transition defense in future seasons.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 14, 2012 | @ Oklahoma City Thunder | L 119-90 | |
| May 16, 2012 | @ Oklahoma City Thunder | L 77-75 | |
| May 18, 2012 | vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | W 99-96 | |
| May 19, 2012 | vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | L 103-100 | |
| May 21, 2012 | @ Oklahoma City Thunder | L 106-90 |
Los Angeles Lakers 2011-12 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 2011-12 season for the Los Angeles Lakers.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 25, 2011 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 88-87 | |
| Dec 26, 2011 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 100-91 | |
| Dec 27, 2011 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 96-71 | |
| Dec 29, 2011 | vs. New York Knicks | W 99-82 | |
| Dec 31, 2011 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 92-89 | |
| Jan 01, 2012 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 99-90 | |
| Jan 03, 2012 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 108-99 | |
| Jan 05, 2012 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 107-96 | |
| Jan 06, 2012 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 97-90 | |
| Jan 08, 2012 | vs. Memphis Grizzlies | W 90-82 | |
| Jan 10, 2012 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 99-83 | |
| Jan 11, 2012 | @ Utah Jazz | W 90-87 | |
| Jan 13, 2012 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 97-92 | |
| Jan 14, 2012 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 102-94 | |
| Jan 16, 2012 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 73-70 | |
| Jan 19, 2012 | @ Miami Heat | L 98-87 | |
| Jan 20, 2012 | @ Orlando Magic | L 92-80 | |
| Jan 22, 2012 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 98-96 | |
| Jan 25, 2012 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 96-91 | |
| Jan 28, 2012 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 100-89 | |
| Jan 29, 2012 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 106-101 | |
| Jan 31, 2012 | vs. Charlotte Bobcats | W 106-73 | |
| Feb 03, 2012 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 93-89 | |
| Feb 04, 2012 | @ Utah Jazz | L 96-87 | |
| Feb 06, 2012 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 95-90 | |
| Feb 09, 2012 | @ Boston Celtics | W 88-87 | |
| Feb 10, 2012 | @ New York Knicks | L 92-85 | |
| Feb 12, 2012 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 94-92 | |
| Feb 14, 2012 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 86-78 | |
| Feb 17, 2012 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 111-99 | |
| Feb 19, 2012 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 102-90 | |
| Feb 20, 2012 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 103-92 | |
| Feb 22, 2012 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 96-91 | |
| Feb 23, 2012 | @ Oklahoma City Thunder | L 100-85 | |
| Feb 29, 2012 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 104-85 | |
| Mar 02, 2012 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 115-107 | |
| Mar 04, 2012 | vs. Miami Heat | W 93-83 | |
| Mar 06, 2012 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 88-85 | |
| Mar 07, 2012 | @ Washington Wizards | L 106-101 | |
| Mar 09, 2012 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 105-102 | |
| Mar 11, 2012 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 97-94 | |
| Mar 13, 2012 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | W 116-111 | |
| Mar 14, 2012 | @ New Orleans Hornets | W 107-101 | |
| Mar 16, 2012 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 97-92 | |
| Mar 18, 2012 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 103-99 | |
| Mar 20, 2012 | @ Houston Rockets | L 107-104 | |
| Mar 21, 2012 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 109-93 | |
| Mar 23, 2012 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 103-96 | |
| Mar 25, 2012 | vs. Memphis Grizzlies | L 102-96 | |
| Mar 27, 2012 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 104-101 | |
| Mar 29, 2012 | vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | L 102-93 | |
| Mar 31, 2012 | vs. New Orleans Hornets | W 88-85 | |
| Apr 01, 2012 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 120-112 | |
| Apr 03, 2012 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 91-87 | |
| Apr 04, 2012 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 113-108 | |
| Apr 06, 2012 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 112-107 | |
| Apr 07, 2012 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 125-105 | |
| Apr 09, 2012 | @ New Orleans Hornets | W 93-91 | |
| Apr 11, 2012 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 98-84 | |
| Apr 13, 2012 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 103-97 | |
| Apr 15, 2012 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 112-108 | |
| Apr 17, 2012 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 112-91 | |
| Apr 18, 2012 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 99-87 | |
| Apr 20, 2012 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 121-97 | |
| Apr 22, 2012 | vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | W 114-106 | |
| Apr 26, 2012 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 113-96 |