1991–92 Los Angeles Lakers season

The 1991–92 NBA season was the 44th season for the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association, and their 32nd season in Los Angeles, California.^[1] This was the start of a new era for the Lakers, as they were coming from an NBA Finals defeat to the Chicago Bulls in five games, but also with the sudden retirement of their long-time superstar, Magic Johnson, after he announced that he was HIV positive.^[2][3][4][5]

1991–92 Los Angeles Lakers season
Head coach	Mike Dunleavy Sr.
General manager	Jerry West
Owner(s)	Jerry Buss
Arena	Great Western Forum
Results
Record	43–39 (.524)
Place	Division: 6th (Pacific) Conference: 8th (Western)
Playoff finish	First round (lost to Trail Blazers 1–3)
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
Television	KCAL-TV Prime Ticket
Radio	KLAC
< 1990–91 1992–93 >

During the off-season, the Lakers acquired Sedale Threatt from the Seattle SuperSonics.^[6][7] In October, the Lakers played in the international McDonald's Open tournament in Paris, France, where Johnson was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player after helping the Lakers win gold.^[8][9]

Starting the regular season without Johnson for the first time since 1979, the Lakers won 10 of their first 13 games, including a nine-game winning streak, and held a 28–18 record at the All-Star break.^[10] However, the team struggled in February, losing seven straight games and posting a 3–9 record during the month. The Lakers ultimately finished in sixth place in the Pacific Division with a 43–39 record, which earned them the eighth seed in the Western Conference;^[11] it was their worst record since the 1975–76 season.^[12]

James Worthy averaged 19.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game, but only played 54 games due to a knee injury,^[13][14][15] while Sam Perkins averaged 16.5 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, and Threatt provided the team with 15.1 points, 7.2 assists and 2.0 steals. In addition, Byron Scott contributed 14.9 points and 1.3 steals per game, while A.C. Green provided with 13.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, and Vlade Divac averaged 11.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game, but only played just 36 games due to a back injury.^[16][17] Meanwhile, sixth man Terry Teagle contributed 10.7 points per game off the bench, second-year forward Elden Campbell averaged 7.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game, and second-year guard Tony Smith provided with 4.4 points per game.^[18]

Despite his HIV infection, Johnson would briefly return to the NBA in February 1992, as he and Worthy were both selected for the 1992 NBA All-Star Game in Orlando, Florida, despite controversy;^{[19][20][21][22]} Johnson scored 25 points along with 5 rebounds, 9 assists and 2 steals, and made all 3 of his three-point field goal attempts, and was named the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player, as the Western Conference defeated the Eastern Conference, 153–113.^{[23][24][25][26]}

In the 1992 NBA playoffs, the Lakers were defeated in the Western Conference First Round by the Portland Trail Blazers, three games to one.^[27][28][29] The Trail Blazers would lose in six games to the defending NBA champion Chicago Bulls in the 1992 NBA Finals.^{[30][31][32][33]} Following the season, head coach Mike Dunleavy left and took a coaching job with the Milwaukee Bucks,^[34][35] and Teagle was released to free agency.

Draft picks

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	College
2	52	Anthony Jones	Forward	United States	Oral Roberts

Roster

1991–92 Los Angeles Lakers roster

Players

Coaches

Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From SF 6 Chucky Brown 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 214 lb (97 kg) 1968–02–29 NC State C 41 Elden Campbell 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1968–07–23 Clemson C 12 Vlade Divac 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 243 lb (110 kg) 1968–02–03 Serbia PF 45 A.C. Green 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1963–10–04 Oregon State C 54 Jack Haley 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1964–01–27 UCLA SF 25 Keith Owens 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1969–05–31 UCLA PF 14 Sam Perkins  6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1961–06–14 North Carolina PF 43 Cliff Robinson 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1960–03–13 USC SG 4 Byron Scott 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1961–03–28 Arizona State SG 34 Tony Smith 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1968–06–14 Marquette PG 2 Rory Sparrow 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1958–06–12 Villanova SG 20 Terry Teagle 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1960–04–10 Baylor PG 3 Sedale Threatt 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1961–09–10 West Virginia Tech SF 42 James Worthy  6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1961–02–27 North Carolina

Head coach Mike Dunleavy Sr. Assistant(s) Bill Bertka Jim Eyen Randy Pfund Legend (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended Injured Roster Updated: 1992–04–08

Regular season

Season standings

Pacific Division v t e	W	L	PCT	GB	Home	Road	Div
y-Portland Trail Blazers	57	25	.695	—	33–8	24–17	21–9
x-Golden State Warriors	55	27	.671	2	31–10	24–17	19–11
x-Phoenix Suns	53	29	.646	4	36–5	17–24	17–13
x-Seattle SuperSonics	47	35	.573	10	28–13	19–22	16–14
x-Los Angeles Clippers	45	37	.549	12	29–12	16–25	13–17
x-Los Angeles Lakers	43	39	.524	14	24–17	19–22	13–17
Sacramento Kings	29	53	.354	28	21–20	8–33	6–24

y - clinched division title

x - clinched playoff spot

#	Western Conference v t e
	Team	W	L	PCT	GB
1	c-Portland Trail Blazers	57	25	.695	–
2	y-Utah Jazz	55	27	.671	2
3	x-Golden State Warriors	55	27	.671	2
4	x-Phoenix Suns	53	29	.646	4
5	x-San Antonio Spurs	47	35	.573	10
6	x-Seattle SuperSonics	47	35	.573	10
7	x-Los Angeles Clippers	45	37	.549	12
8	x-Los Angeles Lakers	43	39	.524	14
9	Houston Rockets	42	40	.512	15
10	Sacramento Kings	29	53	.354	28
11	Denver Nuggets	24	58	.293	33
12	Dallas Mavericks	22	60	.268	35
13	Minnesota Timberwolves	15	67	.183	42

z - clinched division title

y - clinched division title

x - clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

The Lakers were the first team in NBA history to start the season with three straight overtime games, with their season opener being a double-overtime loss to the Houston Rockets. They went 1-2 during that time. After a third loss, to the Phoenix Suns, they went on a nine-game winning streak to finish November with an 11–4 record, which would be their longest winning streak of the season. They struggled in February, going 3–9, with a seven-game losing streak. They would finish the season with a 43–39 record, placing sixth in the Pacific Division and clinching the eighth and final seed for the playoffs.

1991-92 NBA Records
Team	ATL	BOS	CHA	CHI	CLE	DAL	DEN	DET	GSW	HOU	IND	LAC	LAL	MIA	MIL	MIN	NJN	NYK	ORL	PHI	PHO	POR	SAC	SAS	SEA	UTA	WAS
Atlanta	—	3–1	2–2	0–5	0–5	2–0	2–0	1–4	1–1	2–0	1–4	1–1	0–2	2–2	3–1	2–0	3–1	2–2	2–2	2–2	2–0	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	1–1	2–2
Boston	1–3	—	3–1	1–3	3–1	1–1	1–1	4–0	1–1	1–1	2–2	2–0	2–0	3–2	2–2	0–2	2–3	3–2	5–0	3–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	1–1	3–1
Charlotte	2–2	1–3	—	0–4	2–3	1–1	1–1	1–4	1–1	0–2	3–2	0–2	1–1	1–3	2–3	1–1	1–3	0–4	3–1	3–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–0	1–1	0–2	2–2
Chicago	5–0	3–1	4–0	—	3–2	2–0	2–0	4–1	1–1	1–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	4–0	3–2	2–0	4–0	4–0	3–1	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	1–1	2–0	1–1	4–0
Cleveland	5–0	1–3	3–2	2–3	—	1–1	1–1	3–1	1–1	1–1	5–0	1–1	2–0	3–1	3–1	2–0	2–2	4–0	3–1	4–0	1–1	0–2	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	4–0
Dallas	0–2	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	—	3–2	0–2	0–4	4–2	1–1	1–3	0–4	1–1	1–1	3–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	2–2	0–4	1–3	0–5	0–4	1–4	0–2
Denver	0–2	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–3	—	0–2	0–4	2–3	0–2	0–4	1–3	0–2	1–1	2–3	1–1	0–2	2–0	2–0	1–3	1–3	2–2	1–4	1–3	1–5	1–1
Detroit	4–1	0–4	4–1	1–4	1–3	2–0	2–0	—	1–1	2–0	2–2	0–2	2–0	2–2	3–2	1–1	2–2	2–2	4–0	3–1	0–2	2–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	3–1
Golden State	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	4–0	4–0	1–1	—	2–2	2–0	3–2	3–2	1–1	2–0	4–0	2–0	1–1	2–0	1–1	3–2	2–3	5–0	2–2	3–2	1–3	2–0
Houston	0–2	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–4	3–2	0–2	2–2	—	1–1	2–2	2–2	2–0	1–1	3–2	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–3	3–1	3–1	3–2	1–3	1–4	2–0
Indiana	4–1	2–2	2–3	1–3	0–5	1–1	2–0	2–2	0–2	1–1	—	0–2	2–0	3–1	4–1	2–0	2–2	1–3	2–2	2–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–0	0–2	1–1	2–2
L.A. Clippers	1–1	0–2	2–0	0–2	1–1	3–1	4–0	2–0	2–3	2–2	2–0	—	2–3	2–0	2–0	4–0	1–1	0–2	2–0	1–1	3–2	2–3	2–3	2–2	2–3	1–3	0–2
L.A. Lakers	2–0	0–2	1–1	1–1	0–2	4–0	3–1	0–2	2–3	2–2	0–2	3–2	—	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–3	1–4	4–1	1–3	1–4	1–3	1–1
Miami	2–2	2–3	3–1	0–4	1–3	1–1	2–0	2–2	1–1	0–2	1–3	0–2	0–2	—	4–0	2–0	2–2	1–4	3–1	1–4	0–2	0–2	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	5–0
Milwaukee	1–3	2–2	3–2	2–3	1–3	1–1	1–1	2–3	0–2	1–1	1–4	0–2	1–1	0–4	—	2–0	0–4	1–3	3–1	3–1	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–1	1–1	3–1
Minnesota	0–2	2–0	1–1	0–2	0–2	2–3	3–2	1–1	0–4	2–3	0–2	0–4	1–3	0–2	0–2	—	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	0–4	0–4	1–3	0–6	0–4	2–3	0–2
New Jersey	1–3	3–2	3–1	0–4	2–2	2–0	1–1	2–2	0–2	1–1	2–2	1–1	0–2	2–2	4–0	2–0	—	2–3	3–1	3–2	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	2–3
New York	2–2	2–3	4–0	0–4	0–4	2–0	2–0	2–2	1–1	1–1	3–1	2–0	0–2	4–1	3–1	2–0	3–2	—	4–1	3–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	0–2	2–0	2–0	4–0
Orlando	2–2	0–5	1–3	1–3	1–3	1–1	0–2	0–4	0–2	0–2	2–2	0–2	0–2	1–3	1–3	2–0	1–3	1–4	—	3–2	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–1	0–2	2–3
Philadelphia	2–2	1–3	1–3	1–3	0–4	2–0	0–2	1–3	1–1	1–1	2–2	1–1	0–2	4–1	1–3	2–0	2–3	1–3	2–3	—	0–2	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	0–2	5–0
Phoenix	0–2	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–2	3–1	2–0	2–3	3–1	1–1	2–3	3–2	2–0	2–0	4–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	—	3–2	4–1	3–1	3–2	2–2	2–0
Portland	2–0	1–1	2–0	0–2	2–0	4–0	3–1	0–2	3–2	1–3	2–0	3–2	4–1	2–0	2–0	4–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–3	—	5–0	2–2	4–1	2–2	2–0
Sacramento	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	3–1	2–2	0–2	0–5	1–3	1–1	3–2	1–4	0–2	2–0	3–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–4	0–5	—	1–3	1–4	1–3	2–0
San Antonio	2–0	1–1	0–2	1–1	1–1	5–0	4–1	1–1	2–2	2–3	0–2	2–2	3–1	1–1	1–1	6–0	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–3	2–2	3–1	—	3–1	1–4	0–2
Seattle	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	4–0	3–1	1–1	2–3	3–1	2–0	3–2	4–1	1–1	1–1	4–0	2–0	0–2	1–1	0–2	2–3	1–4	4–1	1–3	—	3–1	2–0
Utah	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	4–1	5–1	1–1	3–1	4–1	1–1	3–1	3–1	1–1	1–1	3–2	2–0	0–2	2–0	2–0	2–2	2–2	3–1	4–1	1–3	—	2–0
Washington	2–2	1–3	2–2	0–4	0–4	2–0	1–1	1–3	0–2	0–2	2–2	2–0	1–1	0–5	1–3	2–0	3–2	0–4	3–2	0–5	0–2	0–2	0–2	2–0	0–2	0–2	—

Game log

Regular season

1991–92 game log Total: 43–39 (home: 24–17; road: 19–22)
November: 11–4 (home: 6–1; road: 5–3) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 1 November 1 @ Houston L 121-126 (2OT) James Worthy (37) A.C. Green (16) James Worthy (7) The Summit 16,611 0–1 2 November 2 @ Dallas W 114-113 (OT) James Worthy (30) Sedale Threatt (10) James Worthy (14) Reunion Arena 17,502 1-1 3 November 5 L.A. Clippers L 109-114 (OT) Sedale Threatt (25) Elden Campbell (12) Sedale Threatt (8) Great Western Forum 16,618 1–2 4 November 8 @ Phoenix L 85-113 Terry Teagle (19) Elden Campbell (14) James Worthy (5) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 14,496 1–3 5 November 10 Minnesota W 96-86 Sedale Threatt (27) James Worthy (14) Sedale Threatt (9) Great Western Forum 16,833 2–3 6 November 14 @ Golden State W 115-112 Threatt & Worthy (21) Sam Perkins (10) Sedale Threatt (6) Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 15,025 3-3 7 November 15 Houston W 86-74 James Worthy (22) Sam Perkins (11) Sedale Threatt (10) Great Western Forum 16,956 4–3 8 November 17 Atlanta W 111-89 A.C. Green (26) Vlade Divac (13) Smith & Threatt (8) Great Western Forum 16,750 5–3 9 November 19 Phoenix W 103-95 James Worthy (22) Sedale Threatt (8) Sedale Threatt (7) Great Western Forum 16,558 6–3 10 November 22 San Antonio W 98-96 Scott & Threatt (18) Vlade Divac (11) Sedale Threatt (8) Great Western Forum 17,505 7–3 11 November 24 Milwaukee W 102-97 A.C. Green (25) A.C. Green (7) Sedale Threatt (10) Great Western Forum 16,820 8–3 12 November 26 @ Orlando W 98-87 James Worthy (25) Elden Campbell (11) Sedale Threatt (8) Orlando Arena 15,151 9–3 13 November 27 @ Miami W 89-87 Byron Scott (23) Green & Perkins (8) James Worthy (5) Miami Arena 15,008 10–3 14 November 29 @ Boston L 91-114 James Worthy (27) Green & Perkins (12) Sedale Threatt (6) Boston Garden 14,890 10–4 15 November 30 @ Philadelphia W 93-91 Sam Perkins (17) Jack Haley (10) Sedale Threatt (10) The Spectrum 18,168 11–4
December: 6–8 (home: 2–4; road: 4–4) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 16 December 3 @ Milwaukee L 94-126 A.C. Green (24) A.C. Green (6) Green & Worthy (3) Bradley Center 17,739 11–5 17 December 4 @ Charlotte L 106-124 James Worthy (28) A.C. Green (9) Sedale Threatt (10) Charlotte Coliseum 23,698 11–6 18 December 6 @ New Jersey W 98-89 Perkins & Worthy (22) Sam Perkins (14) Rory Sparrow (4) Brendan Byrne Arena 16,384 12–6 19 December 8 Dallas W 103-88 Green & Scott (16) Sam Perkins (11) Sedale Threatt (9) Great Western Forum 15,988 13–6 20 December 10 @ Sacramento W 92-90 Byron Scott (26) A.C. Green (14) Sedale Threatt (13) ARCO Arena 17,014 14–6 21 December 11 Utah L 95-101 James Worthy (33) Sam Perkins (7) Sedale Threatt (12) Great Western Forum 16,932 14–7 22 December 15 Sacramento W 110-94 Sam Perkins (23) Sam Perkins (13) James Worthy (8) Great Western Forum 16,131 15–7 23 December 17 @ Chicago W 102-89 James Worthy (25) Sam Perkins (10) Sedale Threatt (9) Chicago Stadium 18,676 16–7 24 December 19 @ Minnesota L 85-93 Perkins & Worthy (22) A.C. Green (11) Sedale Threatt (6) Target Center 18,402 16–8 25 December 20 @ Detroit L 93-112 Byron Scott (20) Sam Perkins (10) Rory Sparrow (9) The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454 16–9 26 December 22 Phoenix L 88-100 Sam Perkins (28) A.C. Green (13) Threatt & Worthy (8) Great Western Forum 17,505 16–10 27 December 25 @ L.A. Clippers W 85-75 A.C. Green (20) Green & Scott (11) Sedale Threatt (6) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 15,800 17–10 28 December 28 Portland L 88-98 James Worthy (21) A.C. Green (14) Sedale Threatt (6) Great Western Forum 17,505 17–11 29 December 30 Golden State L 99-114 Sam Perkins (23) Sam Perkins (7) Threatt & Worthy (7) Great Western Forum 17,505 17–12
January: 10–4 (home: 7–1; road: 3–3) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 30 January 3 Indiana L 87-114 Sam Perkins (15) Sam Perkins (9) James Worthy (8) Great Western Forum 17,280 17–13 31 January 5 Miami W 123-111 James Worthy (33) A.C. Green (11) Sedale Threatt (10) Great Western Forum 16,530 18–13 32 January 7 @ Dallas W 104-80 Terry Teagle (19) Sam Perkins (13) Rory Sparrow (6) Reunion Arena 17,083 19–13 33 January 8 @ San Antonio L 87-103 Sedale Threatt (17) A.C. Green (11) Scott & Worthy (3) HemisFair Arena 16,057 19–14 34 January 10 Denver W 102-88 James Worthy (26) A.C. Green (12) Sedale Threatt (11) Great Western Forum 17,000 20–14 35 January 12 Orlando W 112-99 Byron Scott (31) Sam Perkins (15) Sedale Threatt (11) Great Western Forum 16,119 21–14 36 January 15 Charlotte W 95-93 James Worthy (22) A.C. Green (15) Sedale Threatt (12) Great Western Forum 16,736 22–14 37 January 18 @ Seattle L 108-122 James Worthy (27) Sam Perkins (9) Scott & Threatt (4) Seattle Center Coliseum 14,533 22–15 38 January 20 Seattle W 116-110 Sam Perkins (25) A.C. Green (16) Rory Sparrow (7) Great Western Forum 17,236 23–15 39 January 21 @ Portland L 92-131 Sam Perkins (18) A.C. Green (10) Sedale Threatt (8) Memorial Coliseum 12,888 23–16 40 January 23 @ Sacramento W 108-105 Sedale Threatt (29) A.C. Green (14) Sedale Threatt (5) ARCO Arena 17,014 24–16 41 January 24 Sacramento W 95-92 Scott & Teagle (22) Sam Perkins (14) Sedale Threatt (8) Great Western Forum 16,949 25–16 42 January 29 Golden State W 112-99 James Worthy (21) A.C. Green (12) Sedale Threatt (5) Great Western Forum 17,041 26–16 43 January 30 @ Denver W 106-96 Byron Scott (28) A.C. Green (9) Sedale Threatt (5) McNichols Sports Arena 14,707 27–16
February: 3–10 (home: 2–5; road: 1–5) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 44 February 2 Chicago L 97-103 Green & Perkins (25) Sam Perkins (11) Sedale Threatt (8) Great Western Forum 17,505 27–17 45 February 3 @ Phoenix L 104-113 Sedale Threatt (27) Elden Campbell (10) Sedale Threatt (5) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 14,496 27–18 46 February 5 L.A. Clippers W 100-95 Sam Perkins (25) A.C. Green (9) Sedale Threatt (11) Great Western Forum 17,049 28–18 All-Star Break 47 February 11 @ Minnesota W 116-108 Sam Perkins (27) Sam Perkins (17) Sedale Threatt (12) Target Center 19,006 29–18 48 February 13 @ Utah L 91-97 James Worthy (24) A.C. Green (11) Threatt & Worthy (4) Delta Center 19,911 29–19 49 February 14 Washington L 92-108 Sam Perkins (17) A.C. Green (13) James Worthy (6) Great Western Forum 16,852 29–20 50 February 16 Boston L 107-114 James Worthy (24) Sam Perkins (13) James Worthy (8) Great Western Forum 17,505 29–21 51 February 17 @ Golden State L 100-116 James Worthy (23) A.C. Green (13) Sedale Threatt (7) Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 15,025 29–22 52 February 19 @ L.A. Clippers L 94-125 Sedale Threatt (16) Chucky Brown (7) Sedale Threatt (4) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 15,800 29–23 53 February 20 @ Seattle L 103-105 Sedale Threatt (23) A.C. Green (15) Sedale Threatt (6) Seattle Center Coliseum 30,847 29–24 54 February 22 Golden State L 124-126 Sam Perkins (26) Sam Perkins (12) Sedale Threatt (10) Great Western Forum 17,505 29–25 55 February 26 New York W 81-68 James Worthy (27) Green & Perkins (9) Perkins & Scott (6) Great Western Forum 17,505 30–25 56 February 28 Cleveland L 90-101 Perkins & Scott (20) Sam Perkins (11) Sedale Threatt (8) Great Western Forum 17,505 30–26
March: 9–6 (home: 4–3; road: 5–3) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 57 March 1 Houston L 97-105 Sam Perkins (21) A.C. Green (7) Byron Scott (8) Great Western Forum 16,908 30–27 58 March 3 @ Portland L 101-105 Elden Campbell (25) A.C. Green (10) Sedale Threatt (8) Memorial Coliseum 12,888 30–28 59 March 4 New Jersey W 101-92 Byron Scott (25) Sam Perkins (12) Sam Perkins (6) Great Western Forum 17,215 31–28 60 March 8 Detroit L 93-98 A.C. Green (19) Green & Perkins (12) Sedale Threatt (9) Great Western Forum 17,505 31–29 61 March 10 @ New York W 106-104 Sedale Threatt (42) Sam Perkins (11) Sedale Threatt (6) Madison Square Garden 19,763 32–29 62 March 11 @ Atlanta W 109-98 Byron Scott (29) A.C. Green (11) Sedale Threatt (10) Omni Coliseum 15,539 33–29 63 March 13 @ Cleveland L 107-109 (OT) Byron Scott (28) Elden Campbell (9) Sedale Threatt (14) Richfield Coliseum 20,273 33–30 64 March 14 @ Washington W 92-89 A.C. Green (19) Sam Perkins (13) Sedale Threatt (3) Capital Centre 18,756 34–30 65 March 16 @ Indiana L 85-98 Vlade Divac (23) A.C. Green (13) Sedale Threatt (10) Market Square Arena 14,490 34–31 66 March 18 Portland L 93-98 Sam Perkins (22) A.C. Green (11) Sedale Threatt (10) Great Western Forum 17,505 34–32 67 March 20 Minnesota W 131-121 Terry Teagle (26) A.C. Green (9) Byron Scott (11) Great Western Forum 16,291 35–32 68 March 26 Dallas W 115-92 Terry Teagle (28) Vlade Divac (11) Sedale Threatt (6) Great Western Forum 17,324 36–32 69 March 27 @ Utah W 103-92 Terry Teagle (23) Divac & Green (10) Green & Threatt (4) Delta Center 19,911 37–32 70 March 29 Philadelphia W 117-88 Vlade Divac (32) A.C. Green (12) Sedale Threatt (9) Great Western Forum 17,505 38–32 71 March 31 @ Houston W 107-101 Campbell & Green (22) A.C. Green (16) Sedale Threatt (5) The Summit 15,068 39–32
April: 4–7 (home: 3–3; road: 1–4) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 72 April 1 @ San Antonio L 86-104 Terry Teagle (20) Elden Campbell (11) Sedale Threatt (5) HemisFair Arena 16,057 39–33 73 April 3 Seattle L 91-96 Sedale Threatt (28) Vlade Divac (12) Vlade Divac (5) Great Western Forum 17,070 39–34 74 April 5 Phoenix W 109-104 Vlade Divac (30) Vlade Divac (13) Sedale Threatt (12) Great Western Forum 17,228 40–34 75 April 7 @ Seattle L 88-117 Sedale Threatt (18) Elden Campbell (14) Sedale Threatt (5) Seattle Center Coliseum 12,335 40–35 76 April 9 San Antonio L 94-102 Terry Teagle (18) A.C. Green (11) Tony Smith (7) Great Western Forum 16,948 40–36 77 April 11 Utah L 90-93 Sedale Threatt (24) A.C. Green (10) Scott & Threatt (7) Great Western Forum 17,176 40–37 78 April 13 Denver W 100-93 Terry Teagle (27) A.C. Green (10) Sedale Threatt (13) Great Western Forum 17,137 41–37 79 April 15 @ Denver L 107-110 Vlade Divac (23) Sedale Threatt (8) Sedale Threatt (6) McNichols Sports Arena 14,019 41–38 80 April 16 @ Sacramento L 94-102 Terry Teagle (27) A.C. Green (17) Sedale Threatt (10) ARCO Arena 17,014 41–39 81 April 18 @ Portland W 109-101 Vlade Divac (25) A.C. Green (13) Sedale Threatt (12) Memorial Coliseum 12,888 42–39 82 April 19 L.A. Clippers W 109-108 (OT) Byron Scott (27) A.C. Green (12) Sedale Threatt (6) Great Western Forum 17,505 43–39
1991–92 schedule

Playoffs

1992 playoff game log Total: 1–3 (home: 1–1; road: 0–2)
First Round: 1–3 (home: 1–1; road: 0–2) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Series 1 April 23 @ Portland L 102–115 Scott & Teagle (22) A.C. Green (10) Byron Scott (5) Memorial Coliseum 12,888 0–1 2 April 25 @ Portland L 79–101 Byron Scott (16) Elden Campbell (12) Divac & Sparrow (4) Memorial Coliseum 12,888 0–2 3 April 29 Portland W 121–119 (OT) Terry Teagle (26) A.C. Green (10) Sedale Threatt (6) Great Western Forum 16,690 1–2 4 May 3 Portland L 76–102 Sedale Threatt (17) A.C. Green (14) 3 players tied (4) Thomas & Mack Center 15,478 1–3
1992 schedule

Player statistics

Legend

GP	Games played	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field-goal percentage	3P%	3-point field-goal percentage	FT%	Free-throw percentage
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks per game	PPG	Points per game

Regular season

Los Angeles Lakers statistics

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Chucky Brown†	36	2	10.6	.466	.000	.610	2.1	.6	.3	.2	3.8
Demetrius Calip	7	0	8.3	.222	.200	.667	.7	1.7	.1	.0	1.6
Elden Campbell	81	47	23.2	.448	.000	.619	5.2	.7	.7	2.0	7.1
Vlade Divac	36	18	27.2	.495	.263	.768	6.9	1.7	1.5	1.0	11.3
A.C. Green	82	53	35.4	.476	.214	.744	9.3	1.4	1.1	.4	13.6
Jack Haley	49	9	8.0	.369		.483	1.9	.1	.1	.2	1.6
Keith Owens	20	0	4.0	.281		.800	.8	.2	.3	.2	1.3
Sam Perkins	63	63	37.0	.450	.217	.817	8.8	2.2	1.0	1.0	16.5
Cliff Robinson	9	0	8.7	.407	.000	.875	2.1	1.0	.6	.0	3.2
Byron Scott	82	82	32.7	.458	.344	.838	3.8	2.8	1.3	.3	14.9
Tony Smith	63	0	13.0	.399	.000	.653	1.2	1.7	.6	.1	4.4
Rory Sparrow†	42	0	11.2	.399	.154	.615	.6	1.9	.3	.1	3.0
Terry Teagle	82	0	19.5	.452	.250	.766	2.2	1.4	.8	.1	10.7
Sedale Threatt	82	82	37.4	.489	.323	.831	3.1	7.2	2.0	.2	15.1
James Worthy	54	54	39.0	.447	.209	.814	5.6	4.7	1.4	.4	19.9

Playoffs

Los Angeles Lakers statistics

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Chucky Brown	3	0	14.7	.421	.000	.500	3.7	.7	.0	.7	6.3
Elden Campbell	4	2	29.3	.378		.667	6.3	1.5	.8	1.5	10.0
Vlade Divac	4	4	35.8	.349	.000	.900	5.5	3.8	1.3	.8	9.8
A.C. Green	4	4	38.3	.410		.826	9.0	1.8	1.8	.0	12.8
Jack Haley	2	0	6.0	.250			.5	.5	.0	.0	1.0
Cliff Robinson	3	0	8.0	.300		.625	2.0	.3	1.0	.3	3.7
Byron Scott	4	4	37.0	.500	.583	.889	2.5	3.5	1.5	.3	18.8
Tony Smith	4	0	10.0	.300	.000	.500	.5	1.3	1.0	.0	1.8
Rory Sparrow	3	0	5.3	.250		.750	.3	1.3	.3	.0	1.7
Terry Teagle	4	2	31.5	.491		.800	3.3	2.0	1.3	.5	17.5
Sedale Threatt	4	4	40.5	.522	.667	.750	2.0	4.3	.5	.0	14.8

• ^† Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Lakers only.

Player Statistics Citation:^[18]

Magic’s retirement

Starting point guard Magic Johnson missed the first three games with an unspecified "stomach ailment". On November 7, 1991, Johnson announced that he had tested positive for HIV and would immediately retire.^[2][3][4][5] Johnson discovered his condition after attempting to purchase life insurance, and failing the HIV test conducted by Lakers team doctor. During the press conference, he stated that his wife Cookie and unborn child were HIV negative, and that he would become an advocate for HIV education and prevention. The NBA world was shocked; U. S. president George H. W. Bush said: "For me, Magic is a hero, a hero for anyone who loves sports."^[36] Johnson was still listed on the roster, as an injured reserve, and continued to be paid.

Johnson was voted in on the West team for the 1992 NBA All-Star Game in Orlando. Columnists and other people speculated on whether he would play. Because HIV is spread through blood, some players voiced concerns about being infected if Johnson were to get a bleeding wound and touch them. Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone was the most vocal player to express concern.^{[19][20][21][37]} Nevertheless, Johnson played in the All-Star Game, leading the West to a 153–113 win and being named the All-Star Most Valuable Player (MVP). The game ended with 14.5 seconds remaining; when Johnson drained a last-minute three-pointer, other players ran on the court to congratulate Johnson and exchange high-fives.^[23][24][26] It would be Johnson's last game until he made a brief return at the end of the 1995–96 season.^[38]

Magic and the Dream Team

Despite being HIV positive, Johnson was chosen for the U.S. team for the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. The squad was quickly dubbed the Dream Team because of its abundance of NBA stars such as Jordan, Karl Malone and Bird, but Johnson was the main attraction.^[39] At the Olympic Opening Ceremony, German tennis player Steffi Graf ordered colleague Barbara Rittner to photograph her with Johnson, and in the match against Spain, Spanish captain Juan Antonio San Epifanio and his squad demonstratively hugged him, showing that his HIV infection did not matter to them. During the tournament, Johnson struggled with knee problems and played for only a fraction of the games. The point guard position was mostly run by Utah Jazz all-time assist leader John Stockton, but Johnson's presence alone was enough to provoke standing ovations from the crowd. He used the spotlight to attempt to inspire HIV positive people in several interviews.^{[citation needed]}

Awards and records

• The Lakers with Magic Johnson on the team would win the 1991 McDonald's Open by winning games against France's Limoges CSP and Spain's Montigalà Joventut.

All-Star

• Magic Johnson was given the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award after his return from retirement at the 1992 NBA All-Star Game.

Season

• Magic Johnson was given the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award.

Transactions