A Golden Rivalry: Exploring the Kings vs. Lakers History

When Do the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers Play Next?

Sacramento Kings tickets and Los Angeles Lakers tickets can be found on their respective team pages, along with schedule information.

Are the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers Rivals?

Yes, the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers are rivals. The rivalry between these teams stems from the Kings and Lakers both being in the NBA’s Pacific Division, both teams being located in California, as well as three consecutive NBA Playoff matchups between 2000-2002.

Who Are the Sacramento Kings’ Biggest Rivals?

Along with the Los Angeles Lakers, the Sacramento Kings are bitter rivals with the Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors. The Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors constantly compete for Northern California and Pacific Division supremacy since their home stadiums are within 100 miles of each other.

Who Are the Los Angeles Lakers’ Biggest Rivals?

Besides the Sacramento Kings, the Los Angeles Lakers have long standing rivalries with the Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets. The Los Angeles Lakers are also fierce rivals with the Boston Celtics, having met the Celtics in the NBA Finals on 12 separate occasions.

Game Results Between the Kings & Lakers

Basketball fans love watching the Sacramento Kings face off against the Los Angeles Lakers. Check out the most recent head-to-head games between these Californian rivals below.

Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Lakers History

The Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers have a historic rivalry that predates the NBA. Both the Kings and the Lakers joined the Basketball Association of America (BAA) in 1948. The next year, the BAA merged with the National Basketball League (NBL) to form the NBA. The Sacramento Kings (Rochester Royals at the time) defeated the Los Angeles Lakers (Minneapolis Lakers at the time) 92-75 in their first game played against each other in 1948.

The Sacramento Kings (Rochester Royals) first met the Los Angeles Lakers (Minneapolis Lakers) in the NBA Playoffs during the 1949 NBA West Division Finals, with the Lakers winning 2 games to 0. Meeting again in the NBA Playoffs in 1951, the Kings (Royals) etched out their first and only NBA Playoff victory series against the Lakers 3-1. The Kings and Lakers met again in the playoffs in 1952, 1954, 1955 and 1984, with all wins going to the Lakers. This was the era of basketball when the Los Angeles Lakers absolutely dominated the Sacramento Kings.

In the Lakers vs. Kings rivalry between 1983-1988, the Lakers defeated the Kings in an astounding 24 consecutive games, the largest win streak by either team in the rivalry. In the middle of this Lakers dominance, in 1985, the Kings moved from Kansas City to Sacramento. The Kings then went on to join the Lakers in the NBA’s Pacific Division in 1988. The 1980s and 1990s were not so much as a rivalry, but more of a Los Angeles Lakers beat down of the Sacramento Kings. After the Lakers’ 24-game win streak, the Kings won one game in 1988 and one game in 1989. The Lakers then went on another tear, defeating the Kings in another 17 straight games between 1989-1992.

The current rivalry as we know it didn’t take place until the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings met in three consecutive NBA Playoffs between 2000-2002. This was the dynasty era for the Lakers; backed by NBA superstars Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, the Lakers won three consecutive NBA Championships between 2000-2002. However, the Sacramento Kings did not go down without a fight. The Kings pushed the 2000 series into five games, almost defeating the Lakers in the Western Conference First Round.

The teams met again in the 2001 Western Conference First Round, where the Lakers swept the Kings 4-0. The 2002 Western Conference Finals between the Kings and the Lakers was among the most notable NBA Playoff Series in history. Six out of seven games during this series was within a seven-point differential in the scores. The underdog Kings had a 3-2 lead over the Lakers going into Game 6. The Lakers won Game 6 and barely defeated the Kings in an overtime Game 7.

The year 2002 was the last time the Kings and Lakers met in the NBA Playoffs; however, fans of both teams remember the early 2000s and still hold a grudge against each other to this day. Throughout the history of the Lakers vs. Kings rivalry, the Lakers hold the edge of 281 regular season wins and 25 postseason wins, to the Kings’ 164 regular season wins and 11 postseason wins. As of 2023, the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings have played a total number of 481 games against each other.

Where Do the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings Play?

The Sacramento Kings play their home games at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. Located in the heart of downtown Sacramento, Golden 1 Center has been the home to the Kings since it opened in 2016.

The Los Angeles Lakers play their home games at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. Formerly known as Staples Center, Crypto.com Arena is also home to the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers and the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings.

Learn more about Crypto.com Arena here.