Head coach Randy Pfund Arena Great Western Forum | Owner(s) Jerry Buss Record 39–43 (.476) | |
Place Division: 5th (Pacific)
Conference: 8th (Western) Playoff finish First Round
(Eliminated 2–3) | ||
The 1992–93 NBA season was the Lakers' 45th season in the National Basketball Association, and 33rd in the city of Los Angeles. After playing in the Olympics, Magic Johnson attempted a comeback, but cut it short when other NBA players expressed fear of playing against him. Under new head coach Randy Pfund, the Lakers played around .500 for the first half of the season. At midseason, Sam Perkins was traded to the Seattle SuperSonics for Benoit Benjamin and rookie Doug Christie. However, the Lakers struggled losing 19 of their final 30 games in March and April, finishing fifth in the Pacific Division with a 39–43 record, their worst since 1974–75, but still qualified the playoffs as the #8 seed in the Western Conference.
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In the first round of the playoffs, they took a 2–0 lead over the top-seeded Phoenix Suns. However, they would lose the series in five games. Following the season, A.C. Green signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Phoenix Suns, Byron Scott was released and would sign with the Indiana Pacers during the next season, and Benjamin was dealt to the New Jersey Nets.
Season standings
z – clinched division title y – clinched division title x – clinched playoff spotWest First Round
(1) Phoenix Suns vs. (8) Los Angeles Lakers: Suns win series 3-2
Last Playoff Meeting: 1990 Western Conference Semifinals (Phoenix won 4-1)