This Day in Lakers History: Abdul-Jabbar Leads Shorthanded Lakers Past Celtics in 1980
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On Jan. 13, 1980, the Los Angeles Lakers survived the Boston Garden with a 100-98 victory after center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar carried the offense while rookie guard Magic Johnson played through a groin injury.
The matchup was only the second NBA meeting between Johnson and fellow rookie Larry Bird, whose arrival had reignited the historic Lakers-Celtics rivalry. Los Angeles entered the game on the final stop of a five-game road swing, having played two nights earlier in Detroit, where Johnson was injured during an emotional return to his home state of Michigan.
With Johnson limited, Boston pushed the tempo behind point guard Nate “Tiny” Archibald and found early success in transition. Bird added 14 points, hitting quick-release jumpers that frustrated the Lakers’ defense. Despite the Celtics’ fast start, Abdul-Jabbar—who finished with 33 points—kept Los Angeles within reach, while forward Jamal “Silk” Wilkes contributed 21 points.
The game was tied at 98 in the closing seconds when Lakers guard Norm Nixon attacked the rim, drew a foul and calmly sank two free throws. Boston had one last chance, but center Dave Cowens missed a jumper at the buzzer, sealing the two-point win for Los Angeles. Johnson, hampered by the groin strain, was held to a single point.
Although many expected a Lakers-Celtics clash in that season’s NBA Finals, Boston fell short. Los Angeles went on to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers for the 1979-80 championship, the first of five titles the franchise would capture during the Showtime era.
Source: Lakers Nation
