<< 1973-74 Los Angeles Lakers | 1975-76 Los Angeles Lakers >>
The 1974-75 Los Angeles Lakers were absolutely battered by injury. No one on the roster played in more than 75 games and only three played more than 70. Because of this, and a mediocre roster, L.A. would finish 30-52 and miss the playoffs altogether, an absolute rarity for them.
With Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Milwaukee Bucks also dealing with injuries, the path was open for the Golden State Warriors to lead the Western Conference. In another league-wide change, the introduction of an 18th team allowed the NBA to expand their playoffs, adding a new opening round and allowing 12 teams in instead of just eight.
In the first year of this format, neither of the winning teams from the first round made it past the conference semi-finals. The Warriors got through the West and met in the NBA Finals with the Washington Bullets. The Bullets were able to get by the Boston Celtics in six games despite both teams winning 60 games in the regular season.
In the Finals, the Warriors had zero issues with the Bullets, asserting their will in a four-game sweep. The Warriors took home their third championship in franchise history.
Roster
NBA regular season statistics
NBA regular season schedule and results
NBA playoffs statistics
NBA playoffs schedule and results
