Los Angeles Lakers

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Lore & Background

The 2024–25 campaign began with high hopes as the Lakers aimed to defend their NBA Cup title. They started the tournament group stage strong but faltered against the Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder, finishing 2–2 in West Group B and missing the knockout stage. Off the court, the franchise honored Michael Cooper by retiring jersey No. 21 on January 13, 2025, after he was named a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame finalist. The season took a somber turn when Southern California wildfires in January forced two game postponements and tragically destroyed head coach JJ Redick's home in the Palisades Fire area. Despite these challenges, LeBron James reached another milestone on New Year's Eve, becoming the first player to play as both a teenager and a 40-year-old.

In Their Own Story

The season's most seismic moment arrived on February 2, 2025, when the Lakers executed a blockbuster three-team trade with the Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz. In a move considered one of the most shocking in NBA history, they acquired superstar Luka Dončić alongside Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris. To facilitate this, Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick went to Dallas, while Jalen Hood-Schifino and two second-round picks were sent to Utah. This marked the first time ever that two reigning All-NBA players were traded for each other during the season. On the court, drama peaked on March 26, 2025, when LeBron James hit a game-winning buzzer-beating tip-in against the Indiana Pacers for his eighth career such shot. Yet, fate offered immediate reversal; the very next day, they lost to the Chicago Bulls on Josh Giddey's half-court buzzer-beater over LeBron, making them only the fifth team in history to win and lose on consecutive days via buzzer-beaters.

Reader's Guide

Fans should note the Lakers' resilience in overcoming early hurdles. After starting 3–0 for the first time since 2010–11, they secured their first six-game winning streak in five seasons with a victory over the Utah Jazz on November 19, 2024. By April 9, they clinched a playoff berth for the third consecutive year and achieved their first non-play-in playoff qualification since 2020 following a win against Dallas. On April 11, they captured their first Pacific Division title since 2020 after beating the Houston Rockets. However, their status as favorites evaporated in the postseason. The Lakers were upset in the first round by the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves in five games. This elimination was significant as it marked the third time in five seasons the team exited in the first round and the first time they were knocked out as a 3rd seed or higher, ending a streak that dated back to 2005–06 and 2006–07.

Did You Know?

• LeBron James became the first player in NBA history to play as a teenager and at age 40 during this season.
• The February 2, 2025 trade for Luka Dončić was the first time two reigning All-NBA players were traded for each other mid-season.
• The Lakers lost their home games against Minnesota Timberwolves on January 13 and January 16 due to wildfires that also destroyed coach JJ Redick's home.
• On March 27, 2025, the Lakers became only the fifth team in NBA history to win and lose on consecutive days via buzzer-beaters.