Overview
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers four games to two in the best-of-seven NBA Finals series to conclude the 1979-80 NBA season. The victory gave the Lakers their seventh NBA championship and first since 1972.
The 76ers were making their second Finals appearance in four seasons, having lost to the Trail Blazers in 1977. This was the third meeting in the Finals between the two franchises, though the previous two came when the Lakers were based in Minneapolis and the 76ers were the Syracuse Nationals.
Magic Johnson won NBA Finals MVP honors, becoming the only rookie ever to win the award. Johnson, who would go on to win the award twice more in his career, joined Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West as Lakers Finals MVPs.
The Lakers had home-court advantage for the Finals, which were played under the 2-2-1-1-1 format. The two teams split their regular-season meetings in 1979-80, with each team winning on its home court.
The 76ers were making their second Finals appearance in four seasons, having lost to the Trail Blazers in 1977. This was the third meeting in the Finals between the two franchises, though the previous two came when the Lakers were based in Minneapolis and the 76ers were the Syracuse Nationals.
Magic Johnson won NBA Finals MVP honors, becoming the only rookie ever to win the award. Johnson, who would go on to win the award twice more in his career, joined Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West as Lakers Finals MVPs.
The Lakers had home-court advantage for the Finals, which were played under the 2-2-1-1-1 format. The two teams split their regular-season meetings in 1979-80, with each team winning on its home court.
Road to the Finals
| Team | 76ers | Lakers |
| Regular Season | 59-23, 2nd in Atlantic Division | 60-22, 1st in Pacific Division |
| First Round | Def. (6) Washington Bullets, 2-0 | Bye |
| Conference Semifinals | Def. (2) Atlanta Hawks, 4-1 | Def. (4) Phoenix Suns, 4-1 |
| Conference Finals | Def. (3) Seattle SuperSonics, 4-1 | Def. (1) Boston Celtics, 4-1 |
Game 1 - Lakers 109, 76ers 102
The Lakers used Jamaal Wilkes and Michael Cooper to keep Julius Erving in check and got a big offensive game from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, blowing open a close game in the third quarter and holding on for a victory. During the third quarter, the 76ers made just 3 of 20 shots from the field and Magic Johnson grabbed all nine rebounds as the Lakers outscored the 76ers 31-17. Philadelphia used a 10-0 run in the fourth to pull within four points but never got any closer.
Abdul-Jabbar finished with 33 points and 14 rebounds while Johnson fell a rebound shy of a triple-double (16 points, nine rebounds, 10 assists). Erving led the 76ers with 20 points, seven below his season average, on 8-of-17 shooting.
Abdul-Jabbar finished with 33 points and 14 rebounds while Johnson fell a rebound shy of a triple-double (16 points, nine rebounds, 10 assists). Erving led the 76ers with 20 points, seven below his season average, on 8-of-17 shooting.
Game 2 - 76ers 107, Lakers 104
Julius Erving scored 12 of his 23 points in the first quarter, as the 76ers jumped out to a 10-point lead. After the first quarter and led by 18 at halftime. The Lakers went on a 27-10 run to open the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to one, but never tied the game or got out in front, and Bobby Jones made a shot with seven seconds left to put the 76ers ahead by three. Norm Nixon missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Darryl Dawkins led the 76ers with 25 points, while Erving and Maurice Cheeks scored 23 each. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar led the Lakers with 38 points, but didn't get as much support as he had in Game 1. Magic Johnson again approached a triple-double (13 points, eight rebounds, 11 assists) but took just eight shots from the field.
After the game, the Lakers suspended Spencer Haywood, who'd played just two minutes, for conduct detrimental to the team. He did not play again for the rest of the series.
Darryl Dawkins led the 76ers with 25 points, while Erving and Maurice Cheeks scored 23 each. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar led the Lakers with 38 points, but didn't get as much support as he had in Game 1. Magic Johnson again approached a triple-double (13 points, eight rebounds, 11 assists) but took just eight shots from the field.
After the game, the Lakers suspended Spencer Haywood, who'd played just two minutes, for conduct detrimental to the team. He did not play again for the rest of the series.
Game 3 - Lakers 111, 76ers 101
The Lakers raced out to a 35-18 lead early in the second quarter, withstood a Philadelphia run and took a 14-point lead into halftime. The Lakers led by 19 points going into the fourth quarter and the 76ers, who outscored L.A. 36-27 in the final 12 minutes, never seriously challenged the lead.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar finished with 33 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Lakers, despite shooting just 13-of-30 from the field. Norm Nixon added 22 points for L.A, while Jamaal Wilkes had 19 points and 12 rebounds. Julius Erving led the 76ers with 24 points.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar finished with 33 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Lakers, despite shooting just 13-of-30 from the field. Norm Nixon added 22 points for L.A, while Jamaal Wilkes had 19 points and 12 rebounds. Julius Erving led the 76ers with 24 points.
Game 4 - 76ers 105, Lakers 102
The 76ers used a 10-point run, sparked by one of the most memorable plays in NBA history, to even the series at two games apiece. Julius Erving, who finished the game with 23 points, drove baseline and was met by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Erving scooped the ball behind the backboard then completed a layup on the opposite side of the basket, putting the 76ers up by seven. When the NBA released its list of the 60 greatest playoff moments, Erving's layup was No. 14. The Lakers later pulled back within three, but Bobby Jones stole Magic Johnson's inbounds pass on the final play, preserving the win.
Darryl Dawkins led the 76ers with 26 points while also holding Abdul-Jabbar in check on the other end. Johnson led the Lakers with 28 points, adding nine rebounds and nine assists.
When the NBA compilied its list of the 60 Greatest Playoff Moments to coincide with the league's 60th anniversary, Erving's famous layup ranked No. 14 on the list.
Darryl Dawkins led the 76ers with 26 points while also holding Abdul-Jabbar in check on the other end. Johnson led the Lakers with 28 points, adding nine rebounds and nine assists.
When the NBA compilied its list of the 60 Greatest Playoff Moments to coincide with the league's 60th anniversary, Erving's famous layup ranked No. 14 on the list.
Game 5 - Lakers 108, 76ers 103
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored the Lakers' first 12 points and had 26 midway through the third quarter before leaving with a sprained ankle. With Abdul-Jabbar out, the Lakers managed to go on a 14-8 run to take an eight-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. Abdul-Jabbar came back in, playing on the injured ankle, and put on a head-to-head duel with Julius Erving, who scored 16 points in the fourth quarter. Abdul-Jabbar had 14 points in the quarter, including a dunk and free throw with 33 seconds left to give the Lakers their final lead and a 3-2 series advantage.
Abdul-Jabbar finished with 40 points and 15 rebounds while Magic Johnson had a triple-double, finishing with 14 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists. He also had 10 turnovers, helping keep the 76ers in the game. Erving finished with 36 points and Darryl Dawkins added 23 for the 76ers. They were the only Philadelphia players with more than 10 points.
Abdul-Jabbar finished with 40 points and 15 rebounds while Magic Johnson had a triple-double, finishing with 14 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists. He also had 10 turnovers, helping keep the 76ers in the game. Erving finished with 36 points and Darryl Dawkins added 23 for the 76ers. They were the only Philadelphia players with more than 10 points.
Game 6 - Lakers 123, 76ers 107
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar didn't make the trip back to Philadelphia for Game 6, after Lakers team doctors said he would not be able to play. With Spencer Haywood still suspended, the Lakers lacked a center, so coach Paul Westhead turned to Magic Johnson. The 6-foot-9 rookie guard took the opening tip at center, with Michael Cooper replacing him in the starting lineup at guard.
The game was back-and-forth in the first half, with both teams taking big leads before ending up tied at 60. The Lakers opened the second half on a 14-0 run, sparked by Jamaal Wilkes, who scored 16 of his 37 points in the third quarter. The 76ers got within two points twice but never got any closer, and the Lakers ended the game on a 20-6 run, with Johnson leading the fast break.
Johnson, one year removed from leading Michigan State to a national title in college, took advantage of his mismatches on the offensive end, scoring 42 points, including a perfect 14-of-14 night from the free-throw line. He also had 15 rebounds, seven assists and three steals, earning series MVP honors. Johnson finished the series averaging 21.5 ppg, 11.2 rpg and 8.7 apg.
Lakers power forward Jim Chones helped fill in for Abdul-Jabbar on the defensive end, holding Darryl Dawkins to 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting and grabbing 10 rebounds and blocking two shots. Julius Erving led the 76ers with 27 points in the losing effort.
When the NBA compilied its list of the 60 Greatest Playoff Moments to coincide with the league's 60th anniversary, this game was ranked No. 2 on the list.
The game was back-and-forth in the first half, with both teams taking big leads before ending up tied at 60. The Lakers opened the second half on a 14-0 run, sparked by Jamaal Wilkes, who scored 16 of his 37 points in the third quarter. The 76ers got within two points twice but never got any closer, and the Lakers ended the game on a 20-6 run, with Johnson leading the fast break.
Johnson, one year removed from leading Michigan State to a national title in college, took advantage of his mismatches on the offensive end, scoring 42 points, including a perfect 14-of-14 night from the free-throw line. He also had 15 rebounds, seven assists and three steals, earning series MVP honors. Johnson finished the series averaging 21.5 ppg, 11.2 rpg and 8.7 apg.
Lakers power forward Jim Chones helped fill in for Abdul-Jabbar on the defensive end, holding Darryl Dawkins to 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting and grabbing 10 rebounds and blocking two shots. Julius Erving led the 76ers with 27 points in the losing effort.
When the NBA compilied its list of the 60 Greatest Playoff Moments to coincide with the league's 60th anniversary, this game was ranked No. 2 on the list.