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, Derek Fisher, Ron Artest (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

7. 2010 Western Conference Finals Game 5: Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns

Fresh off winning their first NBA Championship in six years and their first in the post-Shaquille O’Neal era, the Lakers were hoping to repeat as champions during the 2009-10 season. However, before the Lakers even had a shot to do that, they had their hands full in the Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns. With the series tied at two games apiece, the Lakers entered a pivotal Game 5 on their home floor with championship weight on their shoulders.

With just 3.5 seconds left in the game, as you would predict, the Lakers went to Kobe Bryant to try and hit a game-winner. Kobe was forced into a tough shot by the Suns swarming defense but thankfully Ron Artest found himself at the right place at the right time. Artest got the offensive rebound and went straight back up as the buzzer went off to give the Lakers the Game 5 win and, most importantly, a 3-2 series lead over the Suns.

The Lakers would carry that momentum from Game 5 into Game 6 on the road to close out the series and clinch a spot in the NBA Finals for the third-straight season.

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