The Lakers and their Playoff Record
The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most successful franchises in NBA history, having won 17 championships, tied for the most in NBA history with their longtime rivals, the Boston Celtics. The Lakers have made the playoffs an incredible 60 times, second only to the Celtics’ 64 appearances. Their playoff record is an impressive 341-237, giving them a .590 winning percentage, which ranks third all-time behind the San Antonio Spurs and the Golden State Warriors.
Lakers’ Playoff History: An Overview
The Lakers have been a dominant force in the NBA playoffs since the inception of the league. They made their first playoff appearance in 1949 and won their first championship in 1950. From that point on, the Lakers have been a perennial playoff team, making the postseason in all but nine seasons. They have won championships in every decade since the 1950s, with the exception of the 1990s. The Lakers have had some of the greatest players in NBA history wear their uniform, including Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kobe Bryant.
Lakers Win-Loss Record in the Playoffs
As previously mentioned, the Lakers have an impressive playoff record of 341-237, giving them a .590 winning percentage. They have won 17 championships, which is the second most in NBA history, behind the Boston Celtics’ 17 championships. The Lakers have made the NBA Finals 31 times, which is the second most in NBA history, behind the Boston Celtics’ 21 appearances. Los Angeles has also made the Western Conference Finals 42 times, which is the most in NBA history.
The Year 2011: A Memorable Playoff Run
The 2011 NBA Playoffs were a memorable one for the Los Angeles Lakers. They finished the regular season with a 57-25 record, which was good enough to secure the second seed in the Western Conference. The Lakers were looking to win their third straight championship and would have to go through some tough competition to do so.
Lakers in the 2011 Western Conference Playoffs
In the first round of the playoffs, the Lakers faced off against the New Orleans Hornets. The Lakers were able to take the series in six games, with Kobe Bryant leading the team with 24.7 points per game. In the second round, the Lakers faced off against the Dallas Mavericks, who were the third seed in the Western Conference. The Mavericks proved to be too much for the Lakers, as they were able to sweep the series in four games.
Lakers vs. Hornets: A First Round Victory
In the first round of the 2011 playoffs, the Lakers faced off against the New Orleans Hornets. The series went back and forth, with the Lakers ultimately coming out on top in six games. Kobe Bryant led the way for the Lakers, averaging 24.7 points per game, while Pau Gasol chipped in with 18.3 points per game and 10.8 rebounds per game.
Lakers vs. Mavericks: A Second Round Upset
In the second round of the playoffs, the Lakers faced off against the Dallas Mavericks, who were the third seed in the Western Conference. The Lakers were the two-time defending champions and were heavily favored to win the series. However, the Mavericks had other plans and were able to sweep the Lakers in four games, sending Los Angeles home early.
Lakers vs. Thunder: A Conference Semifinals Loss
The Lakers’ 2011 playoff run came to an end in the Western Conference Semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder were the fourth seed in the Western Conference and were led by future MVP Kevin Durant. The Lakers were unable to keep up with the Thunder and were eliminated in five games. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers in scoring in the series, averaging 23.6 points per game.
Total Number of Playoff Games in 2011
In the 2011 NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers played a total of 10 playoff games.
Lakers’ Win-Loss Record in the 2011 Playoffs
The Lakers’ win-loss record in the 2011 playoffs was 4-6.
Conclusion: Lakers’ Playoff Performance in 2011
The 2011 NBA Playoffs were a disappointing one for the Los Angeles Lakers. After winning two straight championships, they were unable to make it out of the second round of the playoffs, getting swept by the Dallas Mavericks. Despite the early exit, the Lakers still had a solid playoff run, winning a tough first-round series against the New Orleans Hornets.
Lakers’ Playoffs Record Since 2011
Since the 2011 NBA Playoffs, the Lakers have made the playoffs six times, with their best performance coming in 2020 when they won their 17th championship. They have made the NBA Finals three times since 2011, winning the championship in 2020 and 2022. The Lakers are poised to be contenders for years to come, with a talented roster led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
