Lakers to Reveal Pat Riley Statue on Feb. 22 Ahead of Matchup With Celtics
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The Los Angeles Lakers will honor Hall of Fame coach and executive Pat Riley with a statue unveiling at Star Plaza on Feb. 22, 2026, prior to the team’s home game against the Boston Celtics.
Riley, 79, led the “Showtime” Lakers to four NBA championships in 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988 after taking over as head coach during the 1981-82 season. Over nine seasons at the helm, he posted a 533-194 record, guided Los Angeles to at least 50 victories every year and reached the 60-win plateau five times. He was named NBA Coach of the Year in 1990, his final season with the franchise.
The former coach also logged a 102-47 postseason mark, becoming the first Lakers head coach to defeat Boston in the NBA Finals with series victories in 1985 and 1987. His 1,210 career regular-season coaching wins rank fifth in league history, and his .636 winning percentage is third among coaches with at least 600 victories, trailing only Phil Jackson and Red Auerbach.
Before moving to the sideline, Riley spent five seasons as a guard for Los Angeles after arriving in a 1967 trade from the San Diego Rockets. He was part of the 1972 Lakers team that won 33 straight games—a record that still stands—and captured that season’s NBA title. In total, he contributed to six Lakers championships as a player and a coach.
Known for his slicked-back hair and designer suits, Riley later coached the New York Knicks and has served as president of the Miami Heat since 1995, adding three more titles in coaching and executive roles.
The Lakers will see Riley’s current club early in the 2025-26 campaign, hosting the Heat on Nov. 2 at Crypto.com Arena before visiting Miami on March 19.
Source: Lakers Nation
