2005–06 Los Angeles Lakers season
The 2005–06 Los Angeles Lakers season was the 58th of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the 60th overall. The Lakers finished in third place of the Pacific Division and as the seventh seed of the Western Conference. The season ended with the team being eliminated in seven games against the Phoenix Suns in the First Round of the playoffs after holding a 3–1 series lead. After a year absence, the Lakers rehired Phil Jackson as their head coach. It was the final season that Kobe Bryant wore jersey number 8 before changing it to 24 the following season. Also memorable from this season was during a January 22, 2006 game vs. the Toronto Raptors where Bryant dropped a record 81 points, only the 2nd highest total in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game in 1962.
| 2005–06 Los Angeles Lakers season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Phil Jackson |
| General manager | Mitch Kupchak |
| President | Jim Buss (vice) |
| Owner(s) | Jerry Buss |
| Arena | Staples Center |
| Results | |
| Record | 45–37 (.549) |
| Place | Division: 3rd (Pacific) Conference: 7th (Western) |
| Playoff finish | First Round (lost to Suns 3–4) |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
| Local media | |
| Television | KCAL-TV FSN West |
| Radio | KLAC |
After the playoffs, Bryant underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in July. This led to him missing the 2006 FIBA World Championship.