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Los Angeles Lakers: Greatest NBA Finals performances in team history

By Jamaal Artis

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: A general view of the final shot of the Boston Celtics during their loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: A general view of the final shot of the Boston Celtics during their loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 16: Los Angeles Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar unveils a statue of himself at Staples Center on November 16, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 16: Los Angeles Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar unveils a statue of himself at Staples Center on November 16, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Number 9

  • Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1980 NBA Finals Game 5 vs. Philadelphia 76ers

  • PTS: 40 REB: 15 BLK: 4 FG%: .667 Game Score 32.2

Needing a win to take a 3-2 advantage in the 1980 NBA Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers were in trouble when Kareem Abdul-Jabbar went down with an ankle injury late in the third quarter. Thanks to the effort of Magic Johnson, the Lakers were able to into the fourth quarter with an eight-point lead.

Jabbar limped on the court for the fourth quarter and poured in 14 points to finish the game with 40 and lead the Lakers to a 108-103 victory. It was the only game in which Jabbar scored 40 points in an NBA Finals for the Lakers and to this day, his game score ranks tenth all-time among Lakers.

The Lakers would clinch the 1980 title in game six but without Jabbar’s efforts in game five, they wouldn’t have had a chance against Dr. J and the Philadelphia 76ers.

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