The 14 greatest playoff games in Lakers franchise history

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson (L) talks to Kobe Bryant (R) and Derek Fisher (C) during their game against the Sacramento Kings 02 June 2002, during the second half of game seven of the Western Conference Finals at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, CA. The Lakers won the game 112-106 and will take on the New Jersey Nets in the NBA Finals starting 05 June. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo by JEFF HAYNES / AFP) (Photo by JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Los Angeles Lakers Derek Fisher (Photo by STAN HONDA/AFP via Getty Images) /

3. 2004 Western Conference semifinals Game 5: Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs

In what ended up being one of the final legs of a Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs playoff rivalry during the early-2000s, Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals in 2004 is commonly what most remember from their battles – more so Lakers fans than Spurs. With the series tied at 2-2, a crucial Game 5 was being played in San Antonio. It was a great opportunity for the Spurs to take a huge step in dethroning the Lakers for a second-straight season, and Game 5 certainly changed the trajectory of the series outcome.

The most interesting part of this game is that there were about three shots that we all thought were game-winners. It started when Kobe Bryant hit a long jumper with 11 seconds left to give the Lakers a 72-71 lead. On the other end, Tim Duncan hit a falling-way jump shot with Shaquille O’Neal draped all over him with 0.4 seconds left to give the Spurs a 73-72 lead.

The celebration was on and the Spurs and their fans were celebrating as if they had just taken a 3-2 series lead over the Lakers. However, Derek Fisher would have the last word. Using Kobe Bryant as a bit of a decoy, Fisher broke loose and took a turnaround jump simultaneously as he caught the inbounds pass and hit the shot. 0.4 seconds was enough.

Fisher hits the shot and the Lakers shock the Spurs on their home floor to take a 3-2 series lead. They would go on the close the series on their home floor in Game 6.

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