The biggest shots in Lakers playoff history

Image 30 of 35

36. Magic Johnson vs. Denver Nuggets, Game 1 first round, April 23, 1987.34. Pau Gasol vs. Orlando Magic, Game 2 NBA Finals, June 7, 2009.33. Kobe Bryant vs. Detroit Pistons, Game 2 NBA Finals, June 8, 2004.32. Lamar Odom vs. Denver Nuggets, Game 5 Western Conference finals, May 27, 2009.31. Nick Van Exel vs. San Antonio Spurs, Game 5 second round, May 16, 1995.30. Kobe Bryant vs. Phoenix Suns, Game 4 first round, April 30, 2006.29. Robert Horry vs. Portland Trail Blazers, Game 3 first round, April 28, 2002.28. James Worthy vs. Denver Nuggets, Game 4 Western Conference finals, May 19, 1985.27. Ron Harper vs. Portland Trail Blazers, Game 3 Western Conference finals, May 26, 2000.26. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar vs. Denver Nuggets, Game 3 first round, April 15, 1979.25. Kobe Bryant vs. Phoenix Suns, Game 2 second round, May 10, 2000.24. Byron Scott vs. Detroit Pistons, Game 6 NBA Finals, June 19, 1988.23. Elgin Baylor vs. Boston Celtics, Game 5 NBA Finals, April 14, 1962.22. Kobe Bryant vs. San Antonio Spurs, Game 4 second round, May 12, 2002.21. Gail Goodrich vs. Milwaukee Bucks, Game 6 Western Conference finals, April 22, 1972.20. Robert Horry vs. Philadelphia 76ers, Game 3 NBA Finals, June 10, 2001.19. Kobe Bryant vs. Phoenix Suns, Game 6 Western Conference finals, May 29, 2010.18. Michael Cooper vs. Boston Celtics, Game 2 NBA Finals, May 30, 1985.17. Jerry West vs. Boston Celtics, Game 3 NBA Finals, April 10, 1962.16. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar vs. Philadelphia 76ers, Game 6 NBA Finals, June 8, 1982.Ron Artest vs. Phoenix Suns, Game 5 Western Conference finals, May 27, 2010.14. Jerry West vs. New York Knicks, Game 3 NBA Finals, April 29, 1970.13. Derek Fisher vs. Boston Celtics, Game 7 NBA Finals, June 17, 2010.Gail Goodrich vs. New York Knicks, Game 4 NBA Finals, May 5, 1972.11. Kobe Bryant vs. Indiana Pacers, Game 4 NBA Finals, June 14, 2000.10. Derek Fisher vs. San Antonio Spurs, Game 5 second round, May 13, 2004.9. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar vs. Philadelphia 76ers, Game 5 NBA Finals, May 14, 1980.8. Derek Fisher vs. Boston Celtics, Game 3 NBA Finals, June 8, 2010.7. Pau Gasol vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, Game 6 first round, April 30, 2010.No. 6: Michael Cooper vs. Utah Jazz, Game 5 second round, May 17, 19885. Shaquille ONeal vs. Portland Trail Blazers, Game 7 Western Conference finals, June 4, 2000.4. Derek Fisher vs. Orlando Magic, Game 4 NBA Finals, June 11, 20093. Ron Artest vs. Boston Celtics, Game 7 NBA Finals, June 17, 2010.2. Magic Johnson vs. Boston Celtics, Game 4 NBA Finals, June 9, 19871. Robert Horry vs. Sacramento Kings, Game 4 Western Conference finals, May 26, 2002.

The setting: The Lakers were struggling with the upstart Jazz, trailing by a point at the Forum when Cooper, who had not made a basket all game, hit a 17-footer with seven seconds left.<br>
<br>
The significance: Coopers jumper the first game-winning shot of his career and a James Worthy free throw secured a 111-109 victory, giving the Lakers a 3-2 lead. Utah beat the Lakers by 28 points in Game 6, but the Lakers prevailed in seven games and went on to win their second NBA title in a row.<br>
<br>
Pictured: Michael Cooper and Pat Riley celebrate winning the title in 1982.

No. 6: Michael Cooper vs. Utah Jazz, Game 5 second round, May 17, 1988

( Lennox McLendon, Associated Press / June 9, 1982 )

The setting: The Lakers were struggling with the upstart Jazz, trailing by a point at the Forum when Cooper, who had not made a basket all game, hit a 17-footer with seven seconds left.

The significance: Coopers jumper the first game-winning shot of his career and a James Worthy free throw secured a 111-109 victory, giving the Lakers a 3-2 lead. Utah beat the Lakers by 28 points in Game 6, but the Lakers prevailed in seven games and went on to win their second NBA title in a row.

Pictured: Michael Cooper and Pat Riley celebrate winning the title in 1982.

Comments are filtered for language and registration is required. The Times makes no guarantee of comments' factual accuracy. Readers may report inappropriate comments by clicking the Report Abuse link next to a comment. Here are the full legal terms you agree to by using this comment form.