The Los Angeles Lakers will open their season with a big-time matchup against the defending champion Denver Nuggets. This had us thinking, what are some of the biggest moments in Lakers’ history that occurred to open the season?
This list will answer that question and examine some of the best moments in the first game of the season in the storied history of the franchise.
Being one of the franchises tied for the most championships, most of the Lakers memorable moments have come in the postseason. However, they also have had a ton of big moments to start seasons that have set them up for success in those years as well.
They have a winning 43-32 record on opening night in mostly marquee matchups because of the NBA wanting to showcase them due to their popularity amongst fans around the world. From the Lakers first game in Los Angeles, to the debuts of some of their modern-day legends, this list takes you through an opening night time machine to get you pumped for this year’s first game of the season.
Best Lakers opening night moment No. 5: Steve Blake hits game-winner against Rockets
In 2010, the Lakers were fresh off of back-to-back titles and we’re the favorites to win the title again and pull off the 3-peat. They opened the season against a Houston Rockets team who were thought to be undermanned against the mighty defending champions.
The Rockets bolstered an impressive frontline that season with Luis Scola, Shane Battier, and Yao Ming, but Yao was a shell of himself at that point in his career due to injuries. It was actually Houston’s backcourt on this night that kept them in the game with Aaron Brooks and Kevin Martin combining for 50 points.
The Lakers’ two stars that season Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol matched that scoring outburst combining for 56 points of their own, but it was backup point guard Steve Blake who stole the show.
With the Lakers down 109-110 in the final seconds of regulation, Kobe drove the lane and kicked out to Blake who hit a his third 3-pointer of the game and put the Lakers up by two with 2 seconds left. At the other end of the floor the Rockets went at Blake and drove to the basket, and he was able to play solid defense to force the miss and win the game.