The Beginning of the Rivalry
The Warriors vs Lakers rivalry dates back to the 1960s when the Lakers moved to Los Angeles from Minneapolis. The two teams played each other in the NBA Finals three times in the 1960s, with the Lakers winning two of those series.
The Rivalry Heats Up in the 80s
The rivalry between the Warriors and Lakers really heated up in the 1980s. The Lakers, led by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, won five NBA championships in the decade, while the Warriors made it to the playoffs just twice.
The We Believe Warriors
The Warriors vs Lakers rivalry took a new turn in the 2000s when the Warriors, led by Baron Davis, upset the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 2007 NBA playoffs. The Warriors then took on the top-seeded Lakers in the second round, where they pushed them to six games before eventually losing the series.
The Rise of the Curry Era
The Warriors vs Lakers rivalry took on a new life in the 2010s when the Warriors drafted Stephen Curry in 2009. The team would go on to win three NBA championships in 2015, 2017, and 2018, while the Lakers struggled to make the playoffs.
LeBron James Joins the Lakers
The Warriors vs Lakers rivalry took on a new dimension in 2018 when LeBron James signed with the Lakers. The two teams faced off four times in the 2018-19 NBA season, with the Warriors winning three of those games.
The Injury-Plagued Warriors
The Warriors vs Lakers rivalry took on a new twist in the 2019-20 NBA season when the Warriors were hit with a string of injuries. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green all missed significant time, and the team finished with the worst record in the league.
The Lakers Win the 2020 NBA Championship
The Warriors vs Lakers rivalry took on a new chapter in the 2020 NBA playoffs when the Lakers won their first championship in a decade. LeBron James led the way with a dominant performance in the NBA Finals, and the Lakers defeated the Miami Heat in six games.
The 2020-21 NBA Season
The Warriors vs Lakers rivalry continues in the 2020-21 NBA season. The Lakers are once again one of the top teams in the league, while the Warriors are looking to bounce back from their disappointing 2019-20 season. The two teams have faced off twice so far this season, with the Lakers winning both games.
The Future of the Rivalry
The Warriors vs Lakers rivalry is one of the most storied in NBA history, and it shows no signs of slowing down. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis leading the way for the Lakers, and Stephen Curry and Draymond Green leading the way for the Warriors, there will be plenty of exciting matchups between these two teams in the years to come.
