You're at a bar, and someone brings up the GOAT debate. Usually, it's LeBron versus MJ, but eventually, the conversation shifts to the franchises themselves. If you ask a casual fan how many titles have the lakers won, they’ll probably bark out "17" or maybe "18" if they’re getting confused with the Celtics.
But the real answer? It’s complicated. Or rather, it’s a history lesson that spans two cities, three different league names, and a whole lot of controversy about what actually counts as a "World Championship."
As of right now, the official NBA record books state the Lakers have 17 championships.
They aren't the leaders anymore, though. That's the part that stings for the Purple and Gold faithful. For a long time, the Lakers and the Boston Celtics were locked in a 17-17 tie. Then 2024 happened. The Celtics grabbed their 18th title, leaving Los Angeles sitting in the passenger seat of history.
How Many Titles Have the Lakers Won: The Minneapolis Disconnect
Let’s get into the weeds here because this is where the arguments start.
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The Lakers didn't start in the glitz of Hollywood. They started in the land of 10,000 lakes—Minnesota. Between 1949 and 1954, the Minneapolis Lakers were the NBA’s first true dynasty. They won five titles in six years. George Mikan, a 6'10" giant who wore thick glasses and basically invented the "big man" role, was the center of it all.
- 1949 (The BAA days)
- 1950
- 1952
- 1953
- 1954
Here’s the kicker: for decades, the Lakers didn't even acknowledge these rings. If you look at the "Drive for Five" campaign in 1987, the team was celebrating what they thought was their fifth title. They weren't counting the Minneapolis years. It wasn't until 2002 that the franchise decided to officially "claim" those five Minnesota championships to help catch up to Boston.
Some fans (mostly from Boston or Minnesota) think those titles belong to the city, not the franchise. But the NBA says they count. So, 17 it is.
The Los Angeles Era: Showtime and Beyond
When the team moved to LA in 1960, they hit a wall. That wall was named Bill Russell. The Lakers lost to the Celtics in the Finals over and over again in the 60s. It was brutal. Honestly, it’s a miracle the rivalry even survived that decade given how one-sided it was.
Finally, in 1972, Jerry West—the man on the logo—and Wilt Chamberlain broke through. They won 33 games in a row that season. 33! That record still stands today, and it probably always will.
Then came the 80s. This was the "Showtime" era. Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Pat Riley’s slicked-back hair. They won five titles in that decade alone (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988). This was when the Lakers became a global brand. It wasn't just basketball; it was Hollywood on hardwood.
The Kobe and Shaq Dominance
After a dry spell in the 90s, the Lakers struck gold again. They got Shaquille O’Neal and a skinny kid from Philly named Kobe Bryant.
They did the "Three-Peat."
2000.
2001.
2002.
Watching Shaq in 2000 was like watching a grown man play on a nerf hoop against toddlers. He was unstoppable. After Shaq left, Kobe had to prove he could win without the Big Aristotle. He did it. Back-to-back in 2009 and 2010. That 2010 win against the Celtics in Game 7? Ask any Lakers fan—that might be the sweetest one of them all.
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The Modern Era and the Bubble
The most recent addition to the trophy case came in 2020. People call it the "Bubble Title." Because of the pandemic, the season finished at Disney World in Orlando. No fans. No travel. Just basketball.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis dismantled the Miami Heat to secure title number 17. Some critics try to put an asterisk on it, saying it wasn't a "real" season. But if you ask the players who were stuck in a hotel for three months away from their families, they’ll tell you it was the hardest championship to win mentally.
Every Laker Championship Year
If you need a quick cheat sheet for your next trivia night, here is the full breakdown of the years they climbed the mountain:
- The Minneapolis Five: 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954.
- The West & Wilt Breakthrough: 1972.
- The Showtime Era: 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988.
- The Shaq & Kobe Three-Peat: 2000, 2001, 2002.
- The Kobe & Pau Repeal: 2009, 2010.
- The LeBron & AD Bubble: 2020.
Why the Number 17 Still Matters
Even though the Celtics are currently at 18, the Lakers still hold a massive lead in another category: Finals appearances. The Lakers have been to the NBA Finals 32 times. That is staggering. Basically, for nearly half of the NBA’s existence, the Lakers have been one of the last two teams standing.
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The gap between the Lakers/Celtics and everyone else is a canyon. The Golden State Warriors are in third place with 7 titles. The Chicago Bulls have 6 (all thanks to MJ).
When you talk about how many titles have the lakers won, you're really talking about the history of the league itself. From the peach-basket era of George Mikan to the positionless basketball of LeBron James, the Lakers have been the constant.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to dive deeper into this history or even start a collection, here’s how to do it right:
- Watch the "Legacy" Documentary: If you want the gritty details of the Buss family takeover, the Hulu docuseries Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers is much more accurate than the dramatized HBO version.
- Check the "Banner" Details: If you ever visit Crypto.com Arena (formerly Staples Center), look at the rafters. You'll see the five Minneapolis titles are on one single banner, while the LA titles each get their own. It’s a subtle nod to the city’s divided history.
- Collect the 2020 Memorabilia: Because the 2020 "Bubble" title had unique merchandise and no parade, the specific championship rings and "Champions" gear from that year are becoming highly sought after by collectors due to the weirdness of that season.
The race for 18 is the only thing that matters in Lakerland now. With the 2025-26 season underway, the pressure is on. Can they tie it up again? Only time, and maybe a few more triple-doubles from the King, will tell.