The 1972–73 NBA season was the Lakers' 25th season in the NBA and 13th season in Los Angeles.
During the previous season (1971–1972), the Lakers had posted the longest winning streak in NBA history with 33 straight victories. In the 1972 NBA Finals, the Lakers had defeated New York Knicks in five games to win their sixth NBA Championship. However, even though the Lakers managed to make to the NBA Finals for a second consecutive time, they proved unable to repeat as champions. The Knicks defeated them in five games.
Following the season, Wilt Chamberlain retired.
Offseason
Draft picks
Roster
Regular season
The defending champion Lakers returned intact, albeit another year older. They staged another season long battle for best record in the Western Conference with the Milwaukee Bucks. Both teams ended up with 60–22 records and they split their regular season matchups, winning three games apiece. At the time, the NBA had no tiebreaking formula beyond head-to-head record. In a special league meeting, they attempted to schedule a tiebreaking game between the two teams. However, the players' union intervened and demanded the players be paid an extra 1/82 share of the salaries; the owners objected so ultimately the tie was broken by a coin flip, which was won by Milwaukee.
Season standings
- z – clinched division title
- y – clinched division title
- x – clinched playoff spot
Record vs. opponents
Game log
Playoffs
Awards and records
- Jerry West, All-NBA First Team
- Jerry West, NBA All-Defensive First Team
- Wilt Chamberlain, NBA All-Defensive First Team
- Jerry West, NBA All-Star Game
- Wilt Chamberlain, NBA All-Star Game
- Gail Goodrich, NBA All-Star Game
- Jim Price, NBA All-Rookie Team 1st Team
References
