1980–81 Los Angeles Lakers season

The 1980-81 NBA season was the Lakers' 33rd season in the NBA and the 21st season in Los Angeles. The Lakers were attempting to become the first team since 1969 to repeat as NBA Champions. Despite missing Magic Johnson for 45 games due to a knee injury, the Lakers still managed an impressive 54-28 record during the regular season, and they were the #3 seed heading into the Western Conference playoffs. However, the underdog Houston Rockets eliminated the Lakers in a best-of-three first round series two games to one.

1980–81 Los Angeles Lakers season
Head coachPaul Westhead
General managerBill Sharman
Owner(s)Jerry Buss
ArenaThe Forum
Results
Record54–28 (.659)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Pacific)
Conference: 3rd (Western)
Playoff finishFirst round
(lost to Rockets 1–2)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKHJ
RadioAM 570 KLAC
< 1979–80 1981–82 >
A ticket for a March 1981 game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks.

NBA draft edit

The Lakers did not have a first-round pick in the 1980 Draft. Their first selection was Wayne Robinson, the 31st pick overall, but he never played a game for the Lakers. Future NBA Coach Butch Carter was their second selection at #37 overall.

Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club Team
2 31 Wayne Robinson Forward   United States Virginia Tech
2 37 Butch Carter Guard   United States Indiana

Roster edit

1980–81 Los Angeles Lakers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
C 33 Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem (C) 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1947-04-16 UCLA
PF 8, 40 Brewer, Jim 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1951-12-03 Minnesota
SF 24 Carter, Butch 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1958-06-11 Indiana
PF 9 Chones, Jim 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1949-11-30 Marquette
SG 21 Cooper, Michael 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1956-04-15 New Mexico
SG 25 Hardy, Alan 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1957-05-25 Michigan
SG 14 Holland, Brad 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1956-12-06 UCLA
SG 32 Johnson, Magic   (C) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1959-08-14 Michigan State
PG 15 Jordan, Eddie 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1955-01-29 Rutgers
PF 54 Landsberger, Mark 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1955-05-21 Arizona State
PG 10 Nixon, Norm 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1955-10-11 Duquesne
SF 52 Wilkes, Jamaal 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1953-05-02 UCLA
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Injured

Roster
Last transaction: December 2, 1980

Roster Notes edit

  • Shooting guard Magic Johnson missed 45 games during the season after suffering a torn cartilage in his left knee on November 18 during a game against the Kansas City Kings.[1]

Regular season edit

Season standings edit

W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Phoenix Suns 57 25 .695 36–5 21–20 22–8
x-Los Angeles Lakers 54 28 .659 3.0 30–11 24–17 19–11
x-Portland Trail Blazers 45 37 .549 12.0 30–11 15–26 18–12
Golden State Warriors 39 43 .476 18.0 26–15 13–28 10–20
San Diego Clippers 36 46 .439 21.0 22–19 14–27 14–16
Seattle SuperSonics 34 48 .415 23.0 22–19 12–29 7–23
#
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Phoenix Suns 57 25 .695
2 y-San Antonio Spurs 52 30 .634 5
3 x-Los Angeles Lakers 54 28 .659 3
4 x-Portland Trail Blazers 45 37 .549 12
5 x-Kansas City Kings 40 42 .488 17
6 x-Houston Rockets 40 42 .488 17
7 Golden State Warriors 39 43 .476 18
8 Denver Nuggets 37 45 .451 20
9 San Diego Clippers 36 46 .439 21
10 Seattle SuperSonics 34 48 .415 23
11 Utah Jazz 28 54 .341 29
12 Dallas Mavericks 15 67 .183 42

Notes

  • z, y – division champions
  • x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents edit

1980-81 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND KCK LAL MIL NJN NYK PHI PHO POR SAS SDC SEA UTA WAS
Atlanta 2–4 2–4 1–5 2–0 1–1 4–2 2–0 1–1 1–5 1–1 0–2 1–5 3–2 2–4 1–5 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–4
Boston 4–2 5–1 4–1 2–0 2–0 4–1 1–1 2–0 3–3 1–1 2–0 3–3 6–0 5–1 3–3 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 5–1
Chicago 4–2 1–5 5–1 1–1 1–1 5–1 1–1 1–1 3–2 2–0 1–1 3–3 3–2 3–3 2–4 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 5–1
Cleveland 5–1 1–4 1–5 2–0 1–1 3–3 1–1 0–2 2–4 0–2 0–2 0–6 3–3 0–5 0–6 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 4–2
Dallas 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 3–3 0–2 2–3 0–6 0–2 0–6 0–5 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–4 1–4 1–5 2–3 1–4 1–5 0–2
Denver 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–3 2–0 3–2 2–4 1–1 4–2 3–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–4 2–3 2–4 3–2 3–2 2–4 0–2
Detroit 2–4 1–4 1–5 3–3 2–0 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–4 1–1 0–2 1–5 3–3 1–5 1–4 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–5
Golden State 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–2 2–3 2–0 3–2 1–1 5–0 1–5 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 2–4 2–4 1–4 2–4 3–3 4–1 1–1
Houston 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 6–0 4–2 1–1 2–3 1–1 2–4 2–3 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 1–4 3–2 3–3 1–4 4–1 4–2 0–2
Indiana 5–1 3–3 2–3 4–2 2–0 1–1 4–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 2–4 5–1 3–2 0–6 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 4–2
Kansas City 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 6–0 2–4 1–1 0–5 4–2 0–2 0–5 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 3–2 3–2 2–4 3–2 2–3 5–1 1–1
Los Angeles 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 5–0 2–3 2–0 5–1 3–2 2–0 5–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–4 3–3 2–3 3–3 6–0 3–2 1–1
Milwaukee 5–1 3–3 3–3 6–0 2–0 1–1 5–1 1–1 2–0 4–2 1–1 2–0 5–1 3–3 3–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 4–1
New Jersey 2–3 0–6 2–3 3–3 1–1 1–1 3–3 1–1 0–2 1–5 0–2 0–2 1–5 0–6 1–5 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–3
New York 4–2 1–5 3–3 5–0 1–1 2–0 5–1 0–2 2–0 2–3 1–1 0–2 3–3 6–0 3–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 4–2
Philadelphia 5–1 3–3 4–2 6–0 2–0 1–1 4–1 2–0 2–0 6–0 2–0 1–1 2–3 5–1 3–3 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 4–2
Phoenix 2–0 0–2 2–0 1–1 4–1 4–1 2–0 4–2 4–1 1–1 2–3 4–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–3 3–2 6–0 5–1 5–0 1–1
Portland 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 4–1 3–2 2–0 4–2 2–3 2–0 2–3 3–3 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–3 2–3 4–2 4–2 2–3 2–0
San Antonio 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 5–1 4–2 2–0 4–1 3–3 0–2 4–2 3–2 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 2–3 3–2 4–1 3–2 5–1 1–1
San Diego 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–2 2–3 1–1 4–2 4–1 1–1 2–3 3–3 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–6 2–4 1–4 5–1 3–2 0–2
Seattle 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 4–1 2–3 2–0 3–3 1–4 2–0 3–2 0–6 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–5 2–4 2–3 1–5 4–1 1–1
Utah 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 5–1 4–2 2–0 1–4 2–4 1–1 1–5 2–3 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–5 3–2 1–5 2–3 1–4 0–2
Washington 4–1 1–5 1–5 2–4 2–0 2–0 5–1 1–1 2–0 2–4 1–1 1–1 1–4 3–3 2–4 2–4 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0

Game log edit

Regular season edit

1980–81 game log
Total: 54-28 (home: 30-11; road: 24-17)
October: 9–2 (home: 5–1; road: 4–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 October 10 @ Seattle W 99-98 Jamaal Wilkes (22) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (12) Magic Johnson (8) Kingdome
35,233
1-0
2 October 12 Houston W 114-103 Magic Johnson (30) Jim Chones (11) Magic Johnson (10) The Forum
11,142
2-0
3 October 15 @ Kansas City W 112-107 (OT) Jamaal Wilkes (31) Magic Johnson (12) Magic Johnson (14) Kemper Arena
5,753
3-0
4 October 17 Phoenix W 116-109 Jamaal Wilkes (34) Jim Chones (16) Norm Nixon (9) The Forum
10,411
4-0
5 October 19 Golden State W 125-107 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (29) Mark Landsberger (12) Norm Nixon (9) The Forum
10,644
5-0
6 October 21 @ Portland L 103-107 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (25) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (15) Magic Johnson (5) Memorial Coliseum
12,666
5-1
7 October 24 Seattle W 104-98 Abdul-Jabbar & Wilkes (26) Jim Chones (15) Magic Johnson (12) The Forum
12,201
6-1
8 October 25 @ Utah W 127-99 Magic Johnson (33) Mark Landsberger (12) Magic Johnson (6) Salt Palace
12,058
7-1
9 October 26 San Antonio L 102-108 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (30) Magic Johnson (13) Magic Johnson (11) The Forum
11,906
7-2
10 October 28 @ San Diego W 131-101 Magic Johnson (29) Abdul-Jabbar & Landsberger (10) Magic Johnson (10) San Diego Sports Arena
8,663
8-2
11 October 31 Cleveland W 107-98 Jamaal Wilkes (23) Jim Chones (13) Norm Nixon (8) The Forum
9,728
9-2
November: 9–6 (home: 5–3; road: 4–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
12 November 2 Denver L 121-123 Jamaal Wilkes (26) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (10) Magic Johnson (11) The Forum
11,661
9-3
13 November 4 Portland W 119-118 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (28) Jim Chones (12) Magic Johnson (12) The Forum
10,100
10-3
14 November 7 @ Dallas W 126-102 Magic Johnson (32) Johnson & Landsberger (9) Norm Nixon (10) Reunion Arena
17,481
11-3
15 November 8 @ San Antonio L 109-112 Magic Johnson (28) Chones & Johnson (10) Norm Nixon (15) HemisFair Arena
16,114
11-4
16 November 11 @ Atlanta W 126-97 Jamaal Wilkes (22) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (10) Abdul-Jabbar & Johnson (8) Omni Coliseum
11,373
12-4
17 November 12 @ Houston L 104-107 Jamaal Wilkes (28) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (10) Magic Johnson (11) The Summit
11,527
12-5
18 November 14 San Diego W 113-100 Jamaal Wilkes (22) Jim Chones (12) Magic Johnson (10) The Forum
11,808
13-5
19 November 16 Dallas W 110-102 Magic Johnson (24) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (11) Magic Johnson (8) The Forum
10,893
14-5
20 November 18 Kansas City W 107-94 Jamaal Wilkes (32) Jim Chones (18) Norm Nixon (14) The Forum
10,169
15-5
21 November 20 @ Phoenix L 99-102 Abdul-Jabbar & Wilkes (29) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (8) Norm Nixon (7) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
15-6
22 November 21 Phoenix W 116-88 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (29) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (20) Norm Nixon (7) The Forum
14,164
16-6
23 November 23 Milwaukee L 94-110 Jamaal Wilkes (27) Jim Chones (13) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (6) The Forum
14,814
16-7
24 November 27 @ Golden State W 128-119 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (40) Abdul-Jabbar & Chones (11) Norm Nixon (12) Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
12,564
17-7
25 November 29 @ Denver W 124-123 (2OT) Jamaal Wilkes (30) Jim Chones (15) Norm Nixon (7) McNichols Sports Arena
14,811
18-7
26 November 30 Chicago L 108-122 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (28) 3 players tied (9) Eddie Jordan (9) The Forum
13,605
18-8
December: 8–7 (home: 5–2; road: 3–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
27 December 3 San Diego L 114-120 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (33) Jim Chones (13) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (7) The Forum
9,346
18-9
28 December 6 @ Golden State L 103-119 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (27) Jim Chones (9) Norm Nixon (11) Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
13,329
18-10
29 December 7 Utah W 113-100 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (24) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (17) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (8) The Forum
11,564
19-10
30 December 9 @ Dallas W 103-92 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (29) Abdul-Jabbar & Chones (11) Norm Nixon (10) Reunion Arena
9,313
20-10
31 December 10 @ Houston W 109-108 Jamaal Wilkes (32) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (9) Norm Nixon (8) The Summit
10,632
21-10
32 December 12 @ Seattle W 113-107 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (30) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (8) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (9) Kingdome
22,448
22-10
33 December 14 Golden State W 122-113 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (29) Jim Chones (11) Norm Nixon (14) The Forum
11,643
23-10
34 December 16 @ San Diego L 92-97 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (32) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (9) Norm Nixon (8) San Diego Sports Arena
9,044
23-11
35 December 19 Portland L 106-110 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (34) Jim Chones (13) Norm Nixon (10) The Forum
12,190
23-12
36 December 21 San Antonio W 135-122 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (42) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (13) Norm Nixon (10) The Forum
12,341
24-12
37 December 23 @ Portland L 102-108 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (42) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Eddie Jordan (6) Memorial Coliseum
12,666
24-13
38 December 26 Indiana W 116-115 Jamaal Wilkes (33) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (15) Norm Nixon (12) The Forum
14,345
25-13
39 December 27 @ Phoenix L 106-116 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (27) Jim Chones (10) Norm Nixon (10) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
25-14
40 December 28 Philadelphia W 122-116 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (34) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (13) Norm Nixon (10) The Forum
17,505
26-14
41 December 30 @ Utah L 100-110 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (30) Jim Chones (12) Eddie Jordan (6) Salt Palace
12,393
26-15
January: 10–3 (home: 8–0; road: 2–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
42 January 2 @ San Antonio L 112-118 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (36) Jim Chones (11) Norm Nixon (15) HemisFair Arena
14,722
26-16
43 January 6 Washington W 107-98 Norm Nixon (30) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (16) Norm Nixon (12) The Forum
11,033
27-16
44 January 9 Seattle W 92-87 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (28) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (16) Norm Nixon (9) The Forum
12,596
28-16
45 January 11 Detroit W 117-108 Jamaal Wilkes (33) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (9) Norm Nixon (10) The Forum
11,195
29-16
46 January 13 @ Cleveland W 108-104 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (29) Abdul-Jabbar & Brewer (8) Norm Nixon (9) Richfield Coliseum
7,316
30-16
47 January 14 @ Washington L 104-114 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (25) Abdul-Jabbar & Cooper (10) Norm Nixon (7) Capital Centre
10,372
30-17
48 January 16 @ New Jersey W 113-111 Jamaal Wilkes (32) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (11) Norm Nixon (13) Brendan Byrne Arena
8,462
31-17
49 January 18 @ Boston L 96-98 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (32) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (12) Eddie Jordan (5) Boston Garden
15,320
31-18
50 January 21 Atlanta W 116-106 Jamaal Wilkes (26) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (10) Michael Cooper (9) The Forum
10,389
32-18
51 January 23 Denver W 110-105 Jamaal Wilkes (30) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (15) Norm Nixon (9) The Forum
14,813
33-18
52 January 26 Portland W 124-112 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (24) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (12) Norm Nixon (18) The Forum
10,681
34-18
53 January 27 Utah W 111-104 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (27) Jim Chones (13) Norm Nixon (12) The Forum
10,453
35-18
54 January 29 Kansas City W 118-104 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (35) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (13) Cooper & Nixon (10) The Forum
11,058
36-18
February: 8–4 (home: 3–2; road: 5–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
All-Star Break
55 February 4 @ Indiana W 102-96 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (29) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (16) Michael Cooper (9) Market Square Arena
15,966
37-18
56 February 6 @ Detroit W 111-102 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (25) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (14) Eddie Jordan (12) Pontiac Silverdome
12,205
38-18
57 February 8 @ Philadelphia L 99-102 Jamaal Wilkes (28) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (12) Abdul-Jabbar & Nixon (5) The Spectrum
18,276
38-19
58 February 11 Boston L 91-105 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (32) Michael Cooper (11) Norm Nixon (10) The Forum
17,505
38-20
59 February 13 @ Houston W 114-105 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (30) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (12) Norm Nixon (10) The Summit
13,985
39-20
60 February 15 Dallas W 107-99 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (35) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (12) Norm Nixon (9) The Forum
11,920
40-20
61 February 17 New York W 96-87 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (28) Michael Cooper (11) Michael Cooper (9) The Forum
13,279
41-20
62 February 20 Houston L 107-110 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (36) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (12) Norm Nixon (12) The Forum
14,470
41-21
63 February 22 @ New York W 96-93 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (32) Cooper & Landsberger (9) Cooper & Nixon (7) Madison Square Garden
19,591
42-21
64 February 24 @ Chicago W 107-97 Norm Nixon (24) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (11) Norm Nixon (13) Chicago Stadium
16,518
43-21
65 February 25 @ Milwaukee L 108-126 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (29) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (13) Norm Nixon (8) MECCA Arena
11,052
43-22
66 February 27 New Jersey W 107-103 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (28) Abdul-Jabbar & Johnson (11) Cooper & Nixon (7) The Forum
17,505
44-22
March: 10–6 (home: 4–3; road: 6–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
67 March 1 Phoenix L 96-101 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (28) Magic Johnson (10) Norm Nixon (9) The Forum
17,505
44-23
68 March 3 @ Kansas City W 99-98 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (24) 3 players tied (8) Norm Nixon (8) Kemper Arena
12,208
45-23
69 March 4 @ Denver L 114-123 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (26) Mark Landsberger (10) Norm Nixon (7) McNichols Sports Arena
14,840
45-24
70 March 10 San Antonio W 118-104 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (35) Magic Johnson (16) Norm Nixon (13) The Forum
16,703
46-24
71 March 12 @ San Diego W 122-116 Jamaal Wilkes (29) Magic Johnson (9) Magic Johnson (7) San Diego Sports Arena
13,043
47-24
72 March 13 Kansas City W 116-101 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (28) Mark Landsberger (11) Magic Johnson (11) The Forum
17,505
48-24
73 March 15 San Diego L 118-122 Jamaal Wilkes (27) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (9) Norm Nixon (12) The Forum
15,560
48-25
74 March 17 @ Dallas W 114-109 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (28) Magic Johnson (9) Johnson & Nixon (7) Reunion Arena
17,828
49-25
75 March 18 @ Phoenix L 114-126 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (27) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (8) Magic Johnson (8) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
49-26
76 March 20 Seattle W 133-119 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (34) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (8) Norm Nixon (10) The Forum
17,505
50-26
77 March 21 @ Portland W 117-111 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (31) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (19) Norm Nixon (15) Memorial Coliseum
12,666
51-26
78 March 22 @ Golden State W 120-118 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (31) Magic Johnson (8) Norm Nixon (15) Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
13,239
52-26
79 March 24 Golden State W 110-103 Johnson & Nixon (24) Magic Johnson (9) Magic Johnson (11) The Forum
17,505
53-26
80 March 27 @ Seattle W 97-90 Jamaal Wilkes (24) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (10) Magic Johnson (9) Kingdome
22,494
54-26
81 March 28 @ Utah L 110-112 (OT) Magic Johnson (41) Johnson & Landsberger (12) Magic Johnson (11) Salt Palace
12,383
54-27
82 March 29 Denver L 146-148 (OT) Magic Johnson (33) Magic Johnson (15) Magic Johnson (17) The Forum
17,505
54-28
1980–81 schedule

Playoffs edit

1981 playoff game log
Total: 1–2 (home: 0–2; road: 1–0)
First Round: 1–2 (home: 0–2; road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 April 1 Houston L 107–111 Magic Johnson (26) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (15) Norm Nixon (10) The Forum
15,517
0–1
2 April 3 @ Houston W 111–106 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (27) Magic Johnson (18) Norm Nixon (11) The Summit
16,121
1–1
3 April 5 Houston L 86–89 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (32) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (18) Magic Johnson (9) The Forum
14,813
1–2
1981 schedule

Player statistics edit

Note: GP= Games played; MPG= Minutes per Game; REB = Rebounds; AST = Assists; STL = Steals; BLK = Blocks; PTS = Points; PPG = Points per Game

Player GP MPG REB AST STL BLK PTS PPG
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 80 37.2 821 272 59 228 2095 26.2
Jamaal Wilkes 81 37.4 435 235 121 29 1827 22.6
Norm Nixon 79 37.5 232 696 146 11 1350 17.1
Jim Chones 82 31.2 657 153 39 96 882 10.8
Magic Johnson 37 37.1 320 317 127 27 798 21.6
Michael Cooper 81 32.4 336 332 133 78 763 9.4
Mark Landsberger 69 15.7 377 27 19 6 390 5.7
Eddie Jordan 60 16.5 80 195 74 7 306 5.1
Butch Carter 54 12.4 65 52 23 1 301 5.6
Jim Brewer 78 14.2 281 55 43 58 217 2.8
Brad Holland 41 7.2 29 23 21 1 130 3.2
Alan Hardy 22 5.0 19 3 1 9 51 2.3
Myles Patrick 3 3.0 2 1 0 0 5 1.7
Tony Jackson 2 7.0 2 2 2 0 2 1.0

Award winners/Honors edit

Transactions edit

References edit

  1. ^ "With Johnson Out, The Lakers Are Having Their Problems". Los Angeles Times. January 12, 1981. Retrieved November 24, 2020.