The 1984–85 Los Angeles Lakers season was the 39th season of the franchise, 37th in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and 25th in Los Angeles. The Lakers entered the season as runner-ups of the 1984 NBA Finals, where they lost in heartbreaking fashion to the Boston Celtics in seven games, increasing their losing streak to the Celtics in the NBA Finals to 8 consecutive losses.
In the playoffs, the Lakers swept the Phoenix Suns in three games in the First Round, then defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in five games in the Semifinals, before defeating the Denver Nuggets in five games in the Conference Finals to advance to the NBA Finals for the fifth time in the 1980s, facing off against the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics in a rematch of last season's NBA Finals. This time, however, the Lakers were able to return to their championship ways and win their ninth NBA championship (their fourth in Los Angeles), avenging their NBA Finals loss and getting revenge on the Celtics, defeating them in six games, and marking the first time the Lakers had defeated the Celtics in the NBA Finals. The Lakers also became the first team to have defeated the Celtics in the NBA Finals while on the road, a feat that has since only been accomplished one other time by the Golden State Warriors in 2022. In 2024, HoopsHype would rank this squad as the team with the 22nd-easiest route to the NBA Finals championship (ahead of that year's Boston Celtics squad in terms of higher combined winning percentage of their opponents), with their first two opponents docking the overall percentage from the season there.[1]
NBA draft
[2]
Transactions
The Lakers have been involved in the following transactions during the 1984–1985 season.
Free Agent Additions
Roster
1984–85 Los Angeles Lakers roster
| Players
|
Coaches
|
|
|
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
- (DP) Unsigned draft pick
- (FA) Free agent
- (S) Suspended
- Injured
Roster Updated: March 5, 1985
|
Regular season
Season standings
Game log
Regular season
1984–85 game log Total: 62–20 (Home: 36–5; Road: 26–15)
|
October: 1–2 (home: 1–0; road: 0–2)
|
November: 11–4 (home: 7–2; road: 4–2)
| Game |
Date |
Team |
Score |
High points |
High rebounds |
High assists |
Location Attendance |
Record
|
| 4
|
November 1 7:30 p.m. PST
|
@ Seattle
|
L 103-105
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (24)
|
Magic Johnson (10)
|
Magic Johnson (14)
|
Kingdome 7,020
|
1–3
|
| 5
|
November 2 7:30 p.m. PST
|
San Antonio
|
W 119–100
|
Mike McGee (21)
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (8)
|
Magic Johnson (11)
|
The Forum 13,550
|
2–3
|
| 6
|
November 4 7:30 p.m. PST
|
Portland
|
W 124–116
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (25)
|
James Worthy (14)
|
Magic Johnson (11)
|
The Forum 14,148
|
3–3
|
| 7
|
November 6 7:30 p.m. PST
|
Denver
|
L 130–146
|
Magic Johnson (19)
|
Mike McGee (8)
|
Magic Johnson (8)
|
The Forum 11,272
|
3–4
|
| 8
|
November 8 7:30 p.m. PST
|
@ Golden State
|
L 106-122
|
Abdul-Jabbar & Johnson (20)
|
Magic Johnson (9)
|
Magic Johnson (12)
|
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum 10,523
|
3–5
|
| 9
|
November 9 7:30 p.m. PST
|
@ Portland
|
W 130–126
|
Byron Scott (27)
|
Abdul-Jabbar & Worthy (7)
|
Magic Johnson (15)
|
Memorial Coliseum 12,666
|
4–5
|
| 10
|
November 11 7:30 p.m. PST
|
New Jersey
|
W 121–111
|
James Worthy (22)
|
James Worthy (9)
|
Magic Johnson (12)
|
The Forum 13,257
|
5–5
|
| 11
|
November 16
|
Kansas City
|
W 128-116
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (30)
|
Kurt Rambis (10)
|
Magic Johnson (11)
|
The Forum 13,287
|
6–5
|
| 12
|
November 18 7:30 p.m. PST
|
Milwaukee
|
W 96–89
|
James Worthy (24)
|
Michael Cooper (8)
|
Magic Johnson (11)
|
The Forum 12,768
|
7–5
|
| 13
|
November 20 7:30 p.m. PST
|
Phoenix
|
W 130–108
|
Magic Johnson (29)
|
James Worthy (9)
|
Johnson & Scott (10)
|
The Forum 13,792
|
8–5
|
| 14
|
November 21 6:30 p.m. PST
|
@ Phoenix
|
W 102–97
|
Byron Scott (21)
|
James Worthy (12)
|
Magic Johnson (8)
|
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 12,671
|
9–5
|
| 15
|
November 24
|
@ L.A. Clippers
|
W 108-103
|
James Worthy (27)
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (11)
|
Magic Johnson (14)
|
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 14,991
|
10–5
|
| 16
|
November 25 7:30 p.m. PST
|
Seattle
|
L 94-105
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (23)
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (14)
|
Michael Cooper (7)
|
The Forum 12,270
|
10–6
|
| 17
|
November 28 6:30 p.m. PST
|
@ Utah
|
W 114–109
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (24)
|
James Worthy (17)
|
Magic Johnson (14)
|
Salt Palace 11,331
|
11–6
|
| 18
|
November 30
|
Kansas City
|
W 130-121
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (18)
|
James Worthy (8)
|
Magic Johnson (13)
|
The Forum 12,766
|
12–6
|
|
December: 10–4 (home: 5–1; road: 5–3)
| Game |
Date |
Team |
Score |
High points |
High rebounds |
High assists |
Location Attendance |
Record
|
| 19
|
December 2 7:30 p.m. PST
|
Chicago
|
L 112–113
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (32)
|
Johnson & Rambis (7)
|
Magic Johnson (16)
|
The Forum 15,505
|
12–7
|
| 20
|
December 4 4:30 p.m. PST
|
@ Cleveland
|
W 116–112
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (31)
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (13)
|
Magic Johnson (14)
|
Richfield Coliseum 11,298
|
13–7
|
| 21
|
December 5 4:30 p.m. PST
|
@ New Jersey
|
W 104–93
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (20)
|
Abdul-Jabbar & Johnson (6)
|
Magic Johnson (9)
|
Brendan Byrne Arena 14,532
|
14–7
|
| 22
|
December 7 5:00 p.m. PST
|
@ Philadelphia
|
L 116–122
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (24)
|
James Worthy (10)
|
Magic Johnson (17)
|
The Spectrum 17,921
|
14–8
|
| 23
|
December 8 4:30 p.m. PST
|
@ Washington
|
L 98–101
|
Magic Johnson (23)
|
Abdul-Jabbar & Worthy (9)
|
Magic Johnson (12)
|
Capital Centre 19,105
|
14–9
|
| 24
|
December 12 7:30 p.m. PST
|
Golden State
|
W 131-107
|
Mike McGee (17)
|
Kurt Rambis (13)
|
Magic Johnson (10)
|
The Forum 12,476
|
15–9
|
| 25
|
December 13 7:30 p.m. PST
|
@ Seattle
|
L 122-124 (OT)
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (34)
|
James Worthy (16)
|
Magic Johnson (15)
|
Kingdome 8,491
|
15–10
|
| 26
|
December 16 7:30 p.m. PST
|
Washington
|
W 109–101
|
James Worthy (26)
|
James Worthy (11)
|
Magic Johnson (18)
|
The Forum 15,070
|
16–10
|
| 27
|
December 18 4:30 p.m. PST
|
@ Atlanta
|
W 117–116
|
Magic Johnson (25)
|
Magic Johnson (14)
|
Magic Johnson (20)
|
Omni Coliseum 9,844
|
17–10
|
| 28
|
December 19 5:00 p.m. PST
|
@ Houston
|
W 123–116
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (32)
|
Kurt Rambis (8)
|
Magic Johnson (20)
|
The Summit 16,016
|
18–10
|
| 29
|
December 21 7:30 p.m. PST
|
Phoenix
|
W 119–105
|
James Worthy (30)
|
James Worthy (14)
|
Magic Johnson (12)
|
The Forum 14,764
|
19–10
|
| 30
|
December 26 7:30 p.m. PST
|
Seattle
|
W 101-97
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (24)
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (9)
|
Magic Johnson (10)
|
The Forum 15,582
|
20–10
|
| 31
|
December 28 6:30 p.m. PST
|
@ Denver
|
W 135–123
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (33)
|
Magic Johnson (11)
|
Magic Johnson (14)
|
McNichols Sports Arena 17,022
|
21–10
|
| 32
|
December 29
|
L.A. Clippers
|
W 113-107
|
James Worthy (25)
|
Magic Johnson (10)
|
Magic Johnson (16)
|
The Forum 17,505
|
22–10
|
|
January: 9–6 (home: 6–2; road: 3–4)
| Game |
Date |
Team |
Score |
High points |
High rebounds |
High assists |
Location Attendance |
Record
|
| 33
|
January 4 7:30 p.m. PST
|
Portland
|
W 120–95
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (28)
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (11)
|
Michael Cooper (7)
|
The Forum 14,979
|
23–10
|
| 34
|
January 6 7:30 p.m. PST
|
San Antonio
|
W 99–98
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (28)
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (11)
|
Michael Cooper (14)
|
The Forum 13,513
|
24–10
|
| 35
|
January 8 7:30 p.m. PST
|
Denver
|
L 124–126
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (35)
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (12)
|
Michael Cooper (16)
|
The Forum 13,024
|
24–11
|
| 36
|
January 10 7:30 p.m. PST
|
Utah
|
W 120–112
|
Magic Johnson (20)
|
Kurt Rambis (11)
|
Magic Johnson (10)
|
The Forum 14,547
|
25–11
|
| 37
|
January 11 5:30 p.m. PST
|
@ Dallas
|
W 121–102
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (30)
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (11)
|
Byron Scott (6)
|
Reunion Arena 17,007
|
26–11
|
| 38
|
January 13 9:00 a.m. PST
|
@ Detroit
|
L 98–121
|
Johnson & McGee (22)
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (13)
|
Magic Johnson (10)
|
Pontiac Silverdome 23,475
|
26–12
|
| 39
|
January 15 5:30 p.m. PST
|
@ Milwaukee
|
L 105–115
|
Magic Johnson (32)
|
James Worthy (11)
|
Magic Johnson (9)
|
MECCA Arena 11,052
|
26–13
|
| 40
|
January 16 5:00 p.m. PST
|
@ Boston
|
L 102–104
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (33)
|
3 players tied (7)
|
Magic Johnson (13)
|
Boston Garden 14,890
|
26–14
|
| 41
|
January 18 7:30 p.m. PST
|
Dallas
|
W 110–92
|
James Worthy (19)
|
Kurt Rambis (7)
|
Magic Johnson (18)
|
The Forum 17,505
|
27–14
|
| 42
|
January 19 8:00 p.m. PST
|
@ Golden State
|
W 139-109
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (22)
|
James Worthy (7)
|
Magic Johnson (13)
|
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum 13,295
|
28–14
|
| 43
|
January 22
|
L.A. Clippers
|
W 123-114
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (23)
|
Kurt Rambis (12)
|
Magic Johnson (13)
|
The Forum 15,274
|
29–14
|
| 44
|
January 25 8:30 p.m. PST
|
Philadelphia
|
W 109–104
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (23)
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (9)
|
Magic Johnson (15)
|
The Forum 17,505
|
30–14
|
| 45
|
January 26 6:30 p.m. PST
|
@ Utah
|
L 83–96
|
Abdul-Jabbar & Johnson (19)
|
Magic Johnson (8)
|
Magic Johnson (6)
|
Salt Palace 12,675
|
30–15
|
| 46
|
January 29 7:30 p.m. PST
|
@ Portland
|
W 122–106
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (29)
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (13)
|
Magic Johnson (13)
|
Memorial Coliseum 12,666
|
31–15
|
| 47
|
January 30 7:30 p.m. PST
|
Houston
|
L 113–116
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (34)
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (9)
|
Magic Johnson (10)
|
The Forum 17,505
|
31–16
|
|
February: 11–2 (home: 6–0; road: 5–2)
| Game |
Date |
Team |
Score |
High points |
High rebounds |
High assists |
Location Attendance |
Record
|
| 48
|
February 1
|
New York
|
W 105-104
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (26)
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (13)
|
Magic Johnson (12)
|
The Forum 14,064
|
32–16
|
| 49
|
February 2
|
@ L.A. Clippers
|
W 105-96
|
James Worthy (21)
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (14)
|
Magic Johnson (17)
|
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 15,371
|
33–16
|
| 50
|
February 3
|
Indiana
|
W 122-100
|
James Worthy (18)
|
Kurt Rambis (15)
|
Magic Johnson (12)
|
The Forum 13,320
|
34–16
|
| 51
|
February 5 5:00 p.m. CST
|
@ Houston
|
W 113–104
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (40)
|
James Worthy (10)
|
Magic Johnson (19)
|
The Summit 16,016
|
35–16
|
| All-Star Break
|
| 52
|
February 12
|
L.A. Clippers
|
121-110
|
Byron Scott (25)
|
Bob McAdoo (8)
|
Magic Johnson (12)
|
The Forum 16,125
|
36–16
|
| 53
|
February 15 7:30 p.m. PST
|
Atlanta
|
W 120–111
|
Magic Johnson (23)
|
Kurt Rambis (10)
|
Magic Johnson (16)
|
The Forum 13,852
|
37–16
|
| 54
|
February 17 12:30 p.m. PST
|
Boston
|
W 117–111
|
Magic Johnson (37)
|
Kurt Rambis (12)
|
Magic Johnson (13)
|
The Forum 17,505
|
38–16
|
| 55
|
February 19 5:30 p.m. PST
|
@ Chicago
|
W 127–117
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (27)
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (9)
|
Magic Johnson (12)
|
Chicago Stadium 19,052
|
39–16
|
| 56
|
February 21
|
@ Kansas City
|
W 123-117
|
James Worthy (26)
|
Magic Johnson (10)
|
Magic Johnson (17)
|
Kemper Arena 9,606
|
40–16
|
| 57
|
February 22
|
@ Indiana
|
L 113-122
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (28)
|
Abdul-Jabbar & Rambis (7)
|
Magic Johnson (11)
|
Market Square Arena 16,511
|
40–17
|
| 58
|
February 24
|
@ New York
|
W 119-114
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (39)
|
Rambis & Worthy (11)
|
Magic Johnson (15)
|
Madison Square Garden 16,287
|
41–17
|
| 59
|
February 26 7:30 p.m. PST
|
Houston
|
W 100–94
|
Abdul-Jabbar & Worthy (19)
|
Magic Johnson (11)
|
Magic Johnson (18)
|
The Forum 17,505
|
42–17
|
| 60
|
February 28 6:30 p.m. PST
|
@ Phoenix
|
L 105–117
|
James Worthy (22)
|
James Worthy (8)
|
Michael Cooper (9)
|
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 14,660
|
42–18
|
|
March: 13–1 (home: 7–0; road: 6–1)
| Game |
Date |
Team |
Score |
High points |
High rebounds |
High assists |
Location Attendance |
Record
|
| 61
|
March 2 5:30 p.m. PST
|
@ Dallas
|
W 125–106
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (25)
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (12)
|
Magic Johnson (16)
|
Reunion Arena 17,007
|
43–18
|
| 62
|
March 6 7:30 p.m. PST
|
Golden State
|
W 145-119
|
Mike McGee (29)
|
Kupchak & McGee (7)
|
Ronnie Lester (10)
|
The Forum 15,371
|
44–18
|
| 63
|
March 9 8:00 p.m. PST
|
Cleveland
|
W 133–106
|
Byron Scott (26)
|
Kurt Rambis (10)
|
Magic Johnson (13)
|
The Forum 17,505
|
45–18
|
| 64
|
March 12 7:30 p.m. PST
|
Utah
|
W 123–108
|
3 players tied (18)
|
Kurt Rambis (13)
|
Magic Johnson (13)
|
The Forum 17,505
|
46–18
|
| 65
|
March 13 6:30 p.m. PST
|
@ Utah
|
W 120–105
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (27)
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (10)
|
Magic Johnson (11)
|
Salt Palace 10,158
|
47–18
|
| 66
|
March 15 7:30 p.m. PST
|
San Antonio
|
W 115–114
|
James Worthy (25)
|
McAdoo & Worthy (7)
|
Magic Johnson (18)
|
The Forum 16,130
|
48–18
|
| 67
|
March 16
|
@ L.A. Clippers
|
W 123-112
|
Magic Johnson (25)
|
Abdul-Jabbar & Johnson (9)
|
Magic Johnson (15)
|
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 15,371
|
49–18
|
| 68
|
March 19 6:30 p.m. PST
|
@ Phoenix
|
W 130–112
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (26)
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (8)
|
Magic Johnson (10)
|
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 13,473
|
50–18
|
| 69
|
March 22 5:30 p.m. PST
|
@ Houston
|
W 130–107
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (30)
|
Abdul-Jabbar & Johnson (8)
|
Magic Johnson (16)
|
The Summit 16,018
|
51–18
|
| 70
|
March 24 7:30 p.m. PST
|
Detroit
|
W 148–130
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (30)
|
Kurt Rambis (11)
|
Magic Johnson (19)
|
The Forum 17,505
|
52–18
|
| 71
|
March 26 7:30 p.m. PST
|
@ Portland
|
L 113–116 (OT)
|
Byron Scott (28)
|
Kurt Rambis (13)
|
Magic Johnson (14)
|
Memorial Coliseum 12,666
|
52–19
|
| 72
|
March 27 7:30 p.m. PST
|
@ Seattle
|
W 122-97
|
Abdul-Jabbar & Scott (21)
|
Mitch Kupchak (13)
|
Magic Johnson (10)
|
Kingdome 10,542
|
53–19
|
| 73
|
March 29 7:30 p.m. PST
|
Dallas
|
W 120–115
|
Magic Johnson (23)
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (8)
|
Magic Johnson (13)
|
The Forum 17,505
|
54–19
|
| 74
|
March 31 7:00 p.m. PST
|
Phoenix
|
W 123–98
|
Abdul-Jabbar & Scott (20)
|
Larry Spriggs (9)
|
Magic Johnson (14)
|
The Forum 15,922
|
55–19
|
|
April: 7–1 (home: 4–0; road: 3–1)
|
| 1984–85 schedule
|
Playoffs
1985 playoff game log Total: 15–4 (Home: 9–2; Road: 6–2)
|
Western Conference First Round: 3–0 (home: 2–0; road: 1–0)
|
Western Conference Semifinals: 4–1 (home: 3–0; road: 1–1)
|
Western Conference Finals: 4–1 (home: 2–1; road: 2–0)
|
NBA Finals: 4–2 (home: 2–1; road: 2–1)
|
| 1985 schedule
|
Player statistics
Regular season
Playoffs
Awards and records
References
External links
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