NBA Team Guide
Los Angeles Lakers: History, Championships & Facts
The Lakers began in Minneapolis in 1947 and moved to Los Angeles in 1960. Through the 2025–26 season they have won 17 NBA championships and reached the NBA Finals 32 times.
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Updated live from ESPN.
Quick facts
| Founded | 1947 in Minneapolis, from the NBL's Detroit Gems; moved to Los Angeles in 1960 |
|---|---|
| Arena | Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles (opened 1999 as Staples Center) |
| NBA titles | 17 through the 2025–26 season (1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1972, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2020) |
| NBA Finals appearances | 32 through the 2025–26 season |
| Other title | 1948 NBL championship |
| Conference / division | Western Conference, Pacific Division |
Championship history
The Lakers won five titles in Minneapolis and 12 in Los Angeles. They also won the 1948 NBL title, which the NBA does not count.
- 1949 BAA Finals: beat the Washington Capitols 4–2
- 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954: four more titles in Minneapolis
- 1972: first title in Los Angeles, beating the New York Knicks 4–1
- 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988: five titles in the 1980s
- 2000, 2001, 2002: three straight titles
- 2009, 2010: back-to-back titles, the second over the Boston Celtics
- 2020: title won in the NBA bubble near Orlando, beating the Miami Heat 4–2
- 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament: beat the Indiana Pacers 123–109 in the first edition's final
Franchise history
- 1947: The Detroit Gems of the NBL were bought and moved to Minneapolis as the Lakers.
- 1960: Moved to Los Angeles.
- 1972: Won 33 straight games during the 1971–72 season, a league record.
- 1979: Jerry Buss bought the team; Magic Johnson was drafted first overall.
- 1999: Moved into Staples Center, later renamed Crypto.com Arena.
- 2006: Kobe Bryant scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors on January 22.
- 2020: Won the franchise's 17th NBA title.
Franchise record holders
| Points | Kobe Bryant, 33,643 |
|---|---|
| Rebounds | Elgin Baylor, 11,463 |
| Assists | Magic Johnson, 10,141 |
Retired numbers
- 6Bill Russell (retired across the NBA)
- 8Kobe Bryant
- 13Wilt Chamberlain
- 16Pau Gasol
- 21Michael Cooper
- 22Elgin Baylor
- 24Kobe Bryant
- 25Gail Goodrich
- 32Magic Johnson
- 33Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- 34Shaquille O'Neal
- 42James Worthy
- 44Jerry West
- 52Jamaal Wilkes
- 99George Mikan
Hall of Famers
George Mikan, Jim Pollard, Vern Mikkelsen, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Gail Goodrich, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Jamaal Wilkes, Michael Cooper, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, John Kundla (coach), Pat Riley (coach), Phil Jackson (coach), Jerry Buss (owner).
Biggest rivalries
- Boston Celtics: 12 NBA Finals meetings from 1959 to 2010; Boston won nine and the Lakers won three (1985, 1987, 2010).
- Los Angeles Clippers: the Los Angeles rivalry; the teams shared Staples Center from 1999 until the Clippers moved to Intuit Dome in 2024.
- Detroit Pistons: three NBA Finals meetings, with the Lakers winning in 1988 and Detroit winning in 1989 and 2004.
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How many championships have the Lakers won?
17 NBA titles through the 2025–26 season, five in Minneapolis and 12 in Los Angeles. They also won the 1948 NBL title.
Why are they called the Lakers if they play in Los Angeles?
The name comes from Minneapolis, where the team played from 1947 to 1960. Minnesota is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Who is the Lakers' all-time leading scorer?
Kobe Bryant, with 33,643 points from 1996 to 2016.
Why does Kobe Bryant have two retired numbers?
He wore 8 from 1996 to 2006 and 24 from 2006 to 2016. The Lakers retired both on December 18, 2017.
What is the longest winning streak in Lakers history?
33 straight wins during the 1971–72 season. It remains the NBA record as of 2026.
Sources
Facts checked September 23, 2026. Live figures above come from ESPN.