2002–03 Los Angeles Lakers season

The 2002–03 NBA season was the Lakers' 55th season in the National Basketball Association, and 43rd in the city of Los Angeles. The Lakers entered the season as the three-time defending champions, having defeated the New Jersey Nets in four straight games in the 2002 NBA Finals, winning their fourteenth NBA championship. With All-Star center Shaquille O'Neal sidelined early in the season after an off-season right foot and toe surgery, the Lakers got off to a terrible 3–9 start. After he returned, the team only improved slowly, having an 11–19 record 30 games into the season, their worst start in nine years. However, the Lakers would recover from their slow start, and hold a 24–23 record at the All-Star break, ninth place in the Western Conference at the time, and out of playoff position. The Lakers won 11 of their final 13 games ending the season with a 50–32 record, finishing fifth in the Western Conference.

The season saw co-captain Kobe Bryant play all 82 games for the first time in his career, as he averaged 30.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 2.2 steals per game, while O'Neal averaged 27.5 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. In addition, Derek Fisher provided the team with 10.5 points and 3.6 assists per game, while Rick Fox contributed 9.0 points per game, and Robert Horry provided with 6.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Kobe and Shaq were both named to the All-NBA First Team, and were both selected to play in the 2003 NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta. Kobe was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, and finished in third place in MVP voting with 8 first-place votes, while Shaq was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and finished in fifth place in MVP voting with 3 first-place votes.

Facing an uphill battle without home-court advantage, the Lakers managed to beat the 4th-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs, but fell to the top-seeded and eventual champion San Antonio Spurs in six games in the Western Conference Semi-finals. The Spurs would reach the Finals to defeat the New Jersey Nets in six games, winning their second championship. Following the season, Horry signed as a free agent with the San Antonio Spurs, while Mark Madsen signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Samaki Walker signed with the Miami Heat, and Brian Shaw retired.

The season was overshadowed by the death of long-time Lakers broadcaster Chick Hearn, who died after a fall in the summer of 2002. To pay tribute, the Lakers donned an alternate white uniform, which can be only worn on Christmas and Sunday home games. The uniforms made its debut in a home loss against the Sacramento Kings on Christmas Day. They were designed by late owner Jerry Buss' daughter, who is now the controlling owner and president of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jeanie.