Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Search
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024 preseason
    • 2024-2025 regular season
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Lakers Nation > Blog > Lakers History > This Day In Lakers History: Magic Johnson & Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Lead L.A. To 10th Championship With Game 6 Victory Over Celtics In 1987 NBA Finals
Lakers History

This Day In Lakers History: Magic Johnson & Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Lead L.A. To 10th Championship With Game 6 Victory Over Celtics In 1987 NBA Finals

Damian Burchardt
Published: 06/14/2025
3 Min Read
Magic Johnson, Pat Riley, Lakers, Knicks
Nathaniel S. Butler-Getty Images
SHARE

On June 14, 1987, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the NBA Finals to claim the franchise’s 10th championship.

The Lakers and the Celtics dominated the NBA in the 1980s, deciding the championship between them in all but two seasons during that decade. In 1986-87, it was Boston’s turn to defend the title after L.A. suffered an upset in the previous postseason, losing to the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference Finals.

The Purple and Gold ended the regular season with their second-best record of all time, winning 65 games. Magic Johnson took charge of the team’s offense, leading L.A. in points (23.9 per game) and assists (12.2) to claim his first NBA MVP award. No one in the league averaged more dimes than Johnson that year.

Also, the 1986-87 campaign brought in the first — and to this day, only — Defensive Player of the Year award scooped by a Laker in Michael Cooper.

But no individual achievement could have possibly mattered more than beating the Celtics in the Finals once more — having finally done so for the first time two years earlier, following eight straight Finals losses against the C’s.

Danny Ainge went off in Game 5, drilling five 3s on six attempts to lead the Celtics to a 123-108 win and reduced their series deficit to 3-2. The 40-year-old Kareem Abdul-Jabbar arrived for Game 6 with a shaved head, signaling his determination to end the Finals that day.

After a shaky first quarter, the Lakers went back to the locker room facing a 56-51 deficit at halftime. But Johnson and James Worthy quickly regained the lead for L.A. after the break, hurting Boston in transition.

The Purple and Gold outscored the Celtics 30-12 in the third quarter, practically sealing their Finals victory. Abdul-Jabbar ended up with a team-high 32 points while Johnson dished out 19 assists.

Larry Bird had high praise for Lakers star Magic Johnson

After the game, Larry Bird memorably called Johnson the best player he had ever seen. Also, the Lakers guard claimed his third and last NBA Finals MVP award.

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:1987 NBA FinalsBoston CelticsLos Angeles Lakers
ByDamian Burchardt
Follow:
Damian Burchardt is a sports writer who has covered basketball, soccer, and many other disciplines for numerous U.K. and U.S. media outlets, including The Independent, The Guardian, The Sun, The Berkshire Eagle, The Boston Globe, and The Ringer.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?