The Lakers return house to Crypto.com Area on Friday with the prospect to shut out their first-round sequence in opposition to the Grizzlies.
After falling to Memphis in Recreation 5 on the highway, the Lakers have the chance to do one thing the franchise hasn’t achieved in over a decade — win a playoff sequence in Los Angeles.
This isn’t to dismiss the Lakers’ 2020 NBA championship, which was gained within the Disney Bubble in Orlando as soon as the season resumed from the COVID-19 hiatus.
It’s merely to level out simply how lengthy it has been because the fanbase was in a position to have a good time a sequence victory in the identical area because the crew.
Whether or not or not LeBron James, Anthony Davis and co. will end the job is to be decided, however let’s make a journey down reminiscence lane to search out the final time the Lakers gained a non-bubble postseason sequence.
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When was the final time the Lakers gained a non-bubble playoff sequence?
You must go all the way in which again to the 2012 NBA Playoffs to search out the final time the Lakers gained a non-bubble playoff sequence.
After Los Angeles was swept by the Spurs within the first spherical of the 2013 NBA Playoffs, the franchise went on a six-year postseason drought. The Lakers bounced again to win the 2020 NBA title within the bubble, however they have been eradicated by the Suns within the first spherical in 2021 and missed the playoffs altogether in 2022.
Again in 2012, Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol led Los Angeles to a first-round sequence win over the Nuggets. The sequence went seven video games, with the Lakers closing out Denver on their house flooring on the Staples Middle.
It was a a lot totally different time, with every crew’s beginning 5 serving as a time capsule.
Beginning lineups for Lakers-Nuggets 2012 NBA Playoff sequence
Lakers
Nuggets
Ramon Periods
G
Ty Lawson
Kobe Bryant
G
Aaron Afflalo
Metta World Peace
F
Danilo Gallinari
Pau Gasol
F
Kenneth Faried
Andrew Bynum
C
Timofey Mozgov
The Lakers have been coached by the Kings reigning Coach of the Yr, Mike Brown, whereas the Nuggets have been coached by George Karl.
Los Angeles fell to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder in 5 video games within the subsequent spherical, with the younger trio of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden proving an excessive amount of for Bryant and the Lakers.
Lakers latest playoff historical past
Here’s a take a look at the Lakers’ playoff historical past since they gained three-straight titles from 1999 to 2001.
Yr
Consequence
2022-23
In progress
2021-22
Didn’t qualify
2020-21
Misplaced in First Spherical (Suns 4-2)
2019-20
Received NBA Finals (Warmth 4-2)
2018-19
Didn’t qualify
2017-18
Didn’t qualify
2016-17
Didn’t qualify
2015-16
Didn’t qualify
2014-15
Didn’t qualify
2013-14
Didn’t qualify
2012-13
Misplaced in First Spherical (Spurs 4-0)
2011-12
Misplaced in West Semifinals (Thunder 4-1)
2010-11
Misplaced in West Semifinals (Mavericks 4-0)
2009-10
Received NBA Finals (Celtics 4-3)
2008-09
Received NBA Finals (Magic 4-1)
2007-08
Misplaced NBA Finals (Celtics 4-3)
2006-07
Misplaced in First Spherical (Suns 4-1)
2005-06
Misplaced in First Spherical (Suns 4-3)
2004-05
Didn’t qualify
2003-04
Misplaced in NBA Finals (Pistons 4-1)
2002-03
Misplaced in West Semifinals (Spurs 4-2)