1972
Los Angeles Lakers
Series Flow
4
Wins
1
Losses
Regular Season
69–13
Win–Loss
Playoff Record
12–3
Win–Loss
Finals
4–1
vs New York Knicks
Finals MVP
Chamberlain
Wilt
Los Angeles Lakers
69–13New York Knicks
48–34The 1970 champions were aging. Willis Reed was battling knee problems. Walt Frazier was brilliant but the Knicks couldn't handle the Lakers' combination of Wilt's physical dominance and West/Goodrich's backcourt firepower.
Finals MVP
Wilt Chamberlain
#13 · Center
19.2
PPG
23.2
RPG
2.8
BPG
67.8%
FG%
23.2 rebounds per game in the Finals is one of the greatest rebounding performances in basketball history.
His 23.2 RPG series remains among the highest Finals rebounding averages in NBA history
Won his only championship — completing a Hall-of-Fame career with a ring
How the Series Unfolded
G1 · W
1–0
G2 · W
2–0
G3 · W
3–0
G4 · L
3–1
G5 · W
4–1
114
LAL
92
NYK
Wilt dominated the Knicks' frontcourt while West and Goodrich dissected New York's defense in a statement opening win.
Los Angeles Lakers
Wilt Chamberlain
21 pts · 24 rebThe Wall. No Knick could stop him under the basket.
Jerry West
26 pts · 9 astRelentless scoring and creation — Mr. Clutch at his finest.
106
LAL
92
NYK
Goodrich's 25 points complemented Wilt's rebounding dominance. The Lakers were in complete control.
Los Angeles Lakers
Gail Goodrich
25 pts · 7 astThe leading scorer on the regular season's best team — delivered in the Finals.
Wilt Chamberlain
18 pts · 22 reb22 rebounds — the Knicks had no answer under the basket.
107
LAL
96
NYK
West's 26 points and Wilt's dominance gave the Lakers a commanding 3-0 lead on the road at MSG.
Los Angeles Lakers
Jerry West
26 pts · 10 astMr. Clutch: took over in New York and gave the Garden nothing to cheer about.
NYK
Willis Reed
20 pts · 12 rebCompeted hard as a warrior, but Wilt's size advantage was insurmountable.
116
LAL
111
NYK
The Knicks stayed alive with the MSG crowd behind them. Walt Frazier's defensive pressure and scoring gave New York hope.
Los Angeles Lakers
Gail Goodrich
22 ptsLed the Lakers in a losing effort — not enough without Wilt's best night.
NYK
Walt Frazier
22 pts · 8 ast"Clyde" — stylish, effective, and the one Knick who matched the Lakers' energy.
114
LAL
100
NYK
Wilt's 24 rebounds in the clinching game sealed the championship for a team that had won 33 consecutive games during the regular season. Jerry West finally had his ring.
Los Angeles Lakers
Wilt Chamberlain
24 pts · 24 rebClosed out the Knicks with the most dominant physical performance of the series.
Jerry West
23 pts · 9 astAfter years of Finals heartbreak — finally, a ring. "Mr. Clutch" in the championship moment.
The Champions
They Pushed Us to the Limit
The 1970 champions were aging. Willis Reed was battling knee problems. Walt Frazier was brilliant but the Knicks couldn't handle the Lakers' combination of Wilt's physical dominance and West/Goodrich's backcourt firepower.
17.8
PPG
7.2
APG
2.0
SPG
"Clyde" — stylish, effective, and the heart of the Knicks. The only player who matched the Lakers on both ends.
History Written in 1972
Los Angeles Lakers
6th NBA Championship — first for the LA franchise
Los Angeles Lakers
69-13 regular season record — the best record in NBA history at the time
Los Angeles Lakers
33-game winning streak during the regular season — an NBA record that still stands
Jerry West
Finally won a championship after appearing in eight Finals without a title
Wilt Chamberlain
Won his only NBA championship — completing a legendary career with a ring
Beyond the Box Score
The 1971-72 Lakers won 33 consecutive games — a streak that still stands as the NBA record over 50 years later. They finished 69-13. Bill Sharman installed morning shootarounds for the first time in NBA history. Every element of the season was exceptional.
Jerry West had appeared in eight NBA Finals without a championship. The entire basketball world wanted him to win. When the Lakers closed out the Knicks in Game 5, West — who had once been awarded a Finals MVP in a losing effort — finally got the trophy he had earned over a career of excellence.
The Full Story
69 wins. 33 consecutive victories. The greatest single-season record in NBA history. The 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers were the best team basketball had ever seen — and at the end of it, they won the championship.
Wilt Chamberlain averaged 23.2 rebounds per game in the Finals. Jerry West finally got his ring after eight Finals appearances. Gail Goodrich scored at will from the backcourt. And Bill Sharman — who had invented the morning shootaround that season — won the title in his first year coaching the Lakers.
The 33-game winning streak still stands. It may never be broken.