The 1972–73 NBA season was the Lakers' 25th season in the NBA and 13th season in Los Angeles. Coming off winning the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks in five games, their sixth NBA Championship, and posting the longest winning streak in NBA history at 33 straight victories, the Lakers hoped to continue their success. However, even though the Lakers managed to make to the NBA Finals again for the third consecutive time, they once again met the New York Knicks for also the third consecutive time, against the team that they defeated in last season's NBA Finals as well as were defeated by in the season before's NBA Finals. Just like the season before last season, they were swiftly defeated in five games by the Knicks. Following the season, Wilt Chamberlain retired.
The defending champion Lakers returned intact, albeit another year older. They staged another season long battle for best record in the Western Conference with the Milwaukee Bucks. Both teams ended up with 60–22 records and they split their regular season matchups, winning three games apiece. At the time, the NBA had no tiebreaking formula beyond head to head record. In a special league meeting, they attempted to schedule a tiebreaking game between the two teams. However, the players' union intervened and demanded the players be paid an extra 1/82 share of the salaries; the owners objected so ultimately the tie was broken by a coin flip, which was won by Milwaukee.
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
Game log
Playoffs
West Conference Semifinals
The Lakers faced a strong, veteran Chicago Bulls team for the third straight season in the playoffs. The Lakers had defeated the Bulls in seven games in 1971 and in a four-game sweep in 1972. The Lakers prevailed in a closely battled seven game series, overcoming a double digit deficit in the 4th quarter of game 7. Wilt Chamberlain later stated that he felt the Bulls deserved to win the series. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Chicago Bulls: Lakers win series 4–3
Game 1 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 107, Chicago 104
Game 2 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 108, Chicago 93
Game 3 @ Chicago: Chicago 96, Los Angeles 86
Game 4 @ Chicago: Chicago 98, Los Angeles 94
Game 5 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 123, Chicago 102
The Lakers had expected to face the Bucks for a third straight post season, but the Warriors upset Milwaukee in six games. The series lacked any real drama except for game 1. Late in the first half, Warriors star Rick Barry was low bridged and fell hard on the floor and appeared to suffer a significant back injury. But he returned in the second half to spark a Warriors come back that fell just short in a Lakers' 101–99 win. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors: Lakers win series 4–1
Game 1 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 101, Golden State 99
Game 2 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 104, Golden State 93
Game 3 @ Golden State: Los Angeles 126, Golden State 70
Game 4 @ Golden State: Golden State 117, Los Angeles 109
Game 5 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 128, Golden State 118
NBA Finals
The Knicks took advantage of John Havlicek's shoulder injury to upset the 68-win Boston Celtics in the eastern conference finals. This finals was an exact reversal of the previous years' finals that saw the Lakers lose game 1 and then win the next four games. Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York Knicks: Knicks win series 4–1
Game 1 @ Los Angeles: Los Angeles 115, New York 112
Game 2 @ Los Angeles: New York 99, Los Angeles 95
Game 3 @ New York: New York 87, Los Angeles 83
Game 4 @ New York: New York 103, Los Angeles 98
Game 5 @ Los Angeles: New York 102, Los Angeles 93
