Last Updated on July 18, 2024 by Mathew Diekhake

Here’s a brief timeline of notable events involving the Los Angeles Lakers and the Chicago Bulls:

Historical Timeline:

  • 1946: The Chicago Bulls franchise is established as a charter member of the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which later merged with the National Basketball League (NBL) to form the NBA in 1949.
  • 1960: The Lakers franchise moves from Minneapolis to Los Angeles, becoming the Los Angeles Lakers.
  • 1971-1972: The Lakers win their first NBA championship in Los Angeles, led by Wilt Chamberlain.
  • 1979-1991: The Lakers and the Bulls have several regular-season matchups, with notable players like Magic Johnson (Lakers) and Michael Jordan (Bulls) emerging as stars.
  • 1984-1985: The Lakers win two more NBA championships, led by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
  • 1989-1990: The Bulls reach the Eastern Conference Finals but are defeated by the Detroit Pistons, who go on to win the NBA championship.
  • 1991: The Bulls win their first NBA championship under Michael Jordan, defeating the Lakers in the Finals.
  • 1991-1998: The Bulls dominate the NBA, winning six championships in eight years (’91, ’92, ’93, ’96, ’97, ’98), establishing themselves as one of the greatest dynasties in NBA history.
  • 2000-2002: The Lakers, now led by Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, win three consecutive NBA championships (’00, ’01, ’02).
  • 2009-2010: The Lakers win two more championships (’09, ’10) with Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol.
  • 2016-present: Both teams continue to be competitive in the NBA, with the Lakers adding LeBron James and Anthony Davis to their roster, and the Bulls rebuilding their team around new talent.

Notable Games and Moments:

  • 1991 NBA Finals: Bulls defeat Lakers 4-1 to win their first NBA championship.
  • 2009 NBA Finals: Lakers defeat Magic Johnson’s Orlando Magic to win their 15th NBA championship.
  • 2022 NBA Playoffs: Lakers and Bulls meet in the playoffs with intense matchups showcasing young talents like LaMelo Ball (Bulls) and LeBron James (Lakers).

This timeline captures some of the key moments and matchups between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Chicago Bulls, two iconic franchises in NBA history.