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 Kobe Bryant backs down Kevin Durant (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

13. 2010 Western Conference first-round Game 6 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

In hopes of winning a second-straight NBA Championship during the 2009-10 season, the Los Angeles Lakers found themselves in an absolute battle with the eighth-seeded young, up-and-coming Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs. However, the Lakers found a way to close out the pesky Thunder in Game 6 on the road in what would end up being quite the classic game.

Pau Gasol tipped in the game-winner with less than a second left after getting a timely offensive rebound off a Kobe Bryant miss. Kobe finished with a game-high 32 points and seven rebounds. Gasol only finished with nine points (and 18 rebounds) but scored the biggest two of the game.

The Lakers escaped in what would end up being one of Kevin Durant’s worst playoff performances of his career. Durant still managed to finish with 26 points but only shot 5-23 from the field and missed 17 of his first 20 shots.

For as much as the Lakers were pushed by the Thunder, it was the start of what would be remembered as a memorable playoff run (that would end with another championship) for the team. As for the Thunder, their disappointment during the 2010 season would help them bounce back as they would go on to make the NBA Finals during the following season.

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