The 1977–78 Los Angeles Lakers season was the Lakers' 30th season in the NBA and 18th season in Los Angeles.1977–78 Los Angeles Lakers
This season was defined by the December 9 punch that Kermit Washington laid on Rudy Tomjanovich during a Lakers vs. Rockets game, which received national attention. The violent moment would permanently alter Washington's and Tomjanovich's playing careers.
The Lakers won 45 games, an eight-game decline from their Pacific Division-winning ballclub of the year prior. They would be defeated 2-1 in the first round by their division foes, the Seattle SuperSonics, who went on to the NBA Finals.
Offseason
Draft picks
Roster
Regular season
Season standings
z – clinched division title y – clinched division title x – clinched playoff spot
Playoffs
| 1 | April 12 | @ Seattle | L 90–102 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (26) | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (12) | Nixon, Scott (6) | Seattle Center Coliseum14,098 | 0–1 |- | 2 | April 14 | Seattle | W 105–99 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (24) | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (18) | Adrian Dantley (6) | The Forum15,051 | 1–1 |- | 3 | April 16 | @ Seattle | L 102–111 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (31) | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (11) | Norm Nixon (5) | Seattle Center Coliseum14,098 | 1–2
Awards and records Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, All-NBA Second Team Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, NBA All-Defensive Second Team Norm Nixon, NBA All-Rookie Team 1st Team
References