Last Updated on July 22, 2024 by Mathew Diekhake

Here’s a timeline of significant moments in the head-to-head history between the Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks:

1970s-1980s: Early Encounters

  • 1970s:
    • Regular Season: The Lakers and Hawks had several regular-season matchups during this period. The Lakers, with stars like Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain, were a dominant force, while the Hawks, led by players like Pete Maravich, were competitive but generally overpowered by the Lakers.
  • 1980s:
    • Regular Season: The Lakers, led by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, faced the Hawks, who had key players like Dominique Wilkins. The games were competitive, reflecting the strong play from both teams.

1990s: Competitive Matchups

  • 1991-1992 NBA Season:
    • Regular Season: The Lakers, with Magic Johnson and James Worthy, played against the Hawks, led by Dominique Wilkins. The games were notable for their competitive nature.
  • 1992-1993 NBA Season:
    • Regular Season: The Lakers and Hawks continued their matchups with both teams featuring star players. The Lakers, with a mix of veteran and young talent, faced the Hawks, who were building around Wilkins and new additions.

2000s: Key Encounters

  • 2000-2001 NBA Season:
    • Regular Season: The Lakers, led by Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, faced the Hawks, who were in a rebuilding phase. The Lakers were dominant in this period, and the games reflected their strong performance.
  • 2001-2002 NBA Season:
    • Regular Season: The Lakers, still with O’Neal and Bryant, continued their strong play against the Hawks. The games were competitive but generally in favor of the Lakers.

2010s: Renewed Rivalry

  • 2010-2011 NBA Season:
    • Regular Season: The Lakers, with Bryant leading the team, faced the Hawks, who were building around Joe Johnson and Al Horford. The games were competitive and reflected the playoff aspirations of both teams.
  • 2011-2012 NBA Season:
    • Regular Season: The Lakers and Hawks had several notable matchups with the Lakers featuring Bryant and the Hawks focusing on their young roster.

2020s: Recent Matchups

  • 2019-2020 NBA Season:
    • Regular Season: The Lakers, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, faced the Hawks, led by Trae Young and John Collins. The games were competitive, reflecting the high level of play from both teams.
  • 2020-2021 NBA Season:
    • Regular Season: The Lakers and Hawks continued their matchups with the Lakers being strong playoff contenders and the Hawks showcasing their young talent. The games were notable for their implications in the playoff race.
  • 2021-2022 NBA Season:
    • Regular Season: The Lakers and Hawks faced off with both teams featuring key players. The Lakers, with LeBron James and a revamped roster, played against the Hawks, who were led by Young and Collins.
  • 2022-2023 NBA Season:
    • Regular Season: The Lakers and Hawks continued their rivalry with competitive matchups. The Lakers, with James and new additions, played against the Hawks, who were focused on their playoff aspirations.
  • 2023-2024 NBA Season:
    • Regular Season: The Lakers and Hawks faced off with both teams being significant players in their conferences. The games were marked by high-level play and playoff implications.

The rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks has featured several key moments, particularly with the matchups in the 1980s, 2000s, and recent years. Key players like Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dominique Wilkins, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Trae Young have made their matchups significant in NBA history.