Last Updated on July 18, 2024 by Mathew Diekhake

Here’s a brief timeline highlighting some significant moments and developments in the rivalry and matchups between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Utah Jazz in recent years:

  1. 1990s Rivalry Build-Up: The rivalry intensified in the 1990s as both teams became playoff contenders, with the Jazz led by Karl Malone and John Stockton, and the Lakers featuring stars like Magic Johnson and later Shaquille O’Neal.
  2. 1997 Western Conference Finals: The Jazz defeated the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, advancing to their first NBA Finals in franchise history.
  3. Early 2000s Competitions: The Lakers, led by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, faced the Jazz numerous times in the playoffs, including the 1998 and 2000 Western Conference Semifinals.
  4. Kobe vs. Deron Williams Era: In the mid-2000s, with Kobe Bryant leading the Lakers and Deron Williams emerging as a star for the Jazz, the teams had competitive regular-season matchups.
  5. 2010 Western Conference Semifinals: The Lakers defeated the Jazz in the playoffs en route to winning their second consecutive NBA championship.
  6. Post-2010 Rivalry: The teams continued to compete in the Western Conference, with notable games and matchups involving Kobe Bryant and later stars like LeBron James for the Lakers.
  7. Recent Years: The Lakers and Jazz have continued their competitive rivalry, with matchups showcasing stars like LeBron James for the Lakers and Donovan Mitchell for the Jazz.
  8. 2021 NBA Playoffs: The Lakers and Jazz did not face each other directly in the playoffs, but both teams remained competitive in the Western Conference.

This timeline captures some of the key moments and dynamics between the Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz over the years, highlighting their competitive history and memorable matchups in the NBA.