Last Updated on May 22, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The Los Angeles Lakers have featured some of the greatest playoff scorers in NBA history. Across multiple championship eras, elite offensive stars have helped define Lakers basketball on the postseason stage.

From Kobe Bryant and Jerry West to Magic Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal, the Lakers’ playoff history is filled with legendary scorers who consistently delivered in the biggest moments.

Kobe Bryant

  • Position: Shooting Guard
  • Years with Lakers: 1996–2016
  • Playoff Points with Lakers: 5,640
  • Achievements:
    • 5-time NBA Champion
    • 2-time Finals MVP
    • Franchise leader in playoff points
    • One of the greatest clutch scorers in NBA history

Kobe Bryant became the face of the Lakers for two decades and produced countless legendary playoff performances throughout his career. His difficult shot-making ability and fearless mentality helped make him one of basketball’s greatest postseason scorers.

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Jerry West

  • Position: Guard
  • Years with Lakers: 1960–1974
  • Playoff Points with Lakers: 4,457
  • Achievements:
    • NBA Champion
    • NBA Finals MVP
    • Averaged 29.1 playoff points per game
    • Nicknamed “Mr. Clutch”

Jerry West elevated his game during the playoffs more consistently than almost anyone in NBA history. His elite scoring ability and competitiveness helped establish the Lakers as one of the NBA’s premier franchises during his era.

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

  • Position: Center
  • Years with Lakers: 1975–1989
  • Playoff Points with Lakers: 4,070
  • Achievements:
    • 5-time NBA Champion with Lakers
    • One of the greatest centers in NBA history
    • Famous for the skyhook
    • Dominated during the Showtime era

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar remained an elite playoff scorer deep into his career because of his efficiency, size, and unstoppable skyhook shot. He played a major role in several Lakers championship runs throughout the 1980s.

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Magic Johnson

  • Position: Point Guard
  • Years with Lakers: 1979–1991, 1996
  • Playoff Points with Lakers: 3,701
  • Achievements:
    • 5-time NBA Champion
    • 3-time Finals MVP
    • Leader of the Showtime Lakers
    • One of the greatest point guards ever

Magic Johnson is best remembered for his passing and leadership, but he was also an outstanding playoff scorer. His ability to dominate transition offense and elevate his performances in the NBA Finals helped define one of basketball’s greatest dynasties.

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Elgin Baylor

  • Position: Forward
  • Years with Lakers: 1958–1971
  • Playoff Points with Lakers: 3,623
  • Achievements:
    • Averaged more than 27 playoff points per game
    • One of basketball’s earliest superstar scorers
    • Holder of the Lakers’ playoff single-game scoring record
    • Revolutionized offensive basketball

Elgin Baylor was one of the NBA’s first explosive playoff scorers and consistently dominated postseason defenses during his era. His legendary 61-point Finals performance against the Celtics remains the highest-scoring playoff game in Lakers history.

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Shaquille O’Neal

  • Position: Center
  • Years with Lakers: 1996–2004
  • Playoff Points with Lakers: 3,383
  • Achievements:
    • 3-time NBA Champion with Lakers
    • 3-time Finals MVP with Lakers
    • One of the most dominant playoff players ever
    • Averaged nearly 28 playoff points per game with Lakers

Shaquille O’Neal overwhelmed playoff defenses during the Lakers’ early-2000s championship run. At his peak, few players in NBA history have been as physically unstoppable in postseason basketball as Shaq.

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James Worthy

  • Position: Forward
  • Years with Lakers: 1982–1994
  • Playoff Points with Lakers: 3,022
  • Achievements:
    • 3-time NBA Champion
    • NBA Finals MVP
    • Nicknamed “Big Game James”
    • One of the best transition scorers of the 1980s

James Worthy built a reputation for elevating his performances during important playoff games. His speed, finishing ability, and clutch scoring made him one of the key stars of the Showtime Lakers dynasty.

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LeBron James

  • Position: Forward
  • Years with Lakers: 2018–present
  • Playoff Points with Lakers: 1,378+
  • Achievements:
    • NBA Champion with Lakers
    • NBA Finals MVP with Lakers
    • NBA all-time playoff scoring leader
    • One of the greatest all-around playoff performers ever

LeBron James continued building his legendary playoff résumé after joining the Lakers. Even later in his career, his size, basketball IQ, and scoring ability have allowed him to remain one of the NBA’s most dangerous postseason players.

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