1972 Regular Season vs Milwaukee Bucks (33rd Win)
Shattering the Unbreakable: Lakers Secure 33rd Consecutive Win in Milwaukee.
On January 9, 1972, inside the Milwaukee Arena, the Los Angeles Lakers didn't just win a game—they rewrote the NBA's history books. Securing their 33rd consecutive victory against the Bucks, this match stands as the definitive apex of the franchise’s most dominant regular-season run. It wasn't merely a statistical anomaly; it was the moment Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West proved that an unprecedented winning streak could hold firm against elite competition, shattering the Boston Celtics' long-standing record in the process.
- Date
- January 9, 1972
- Opponent
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Result
- Lakers Win (104-85)
- Win Streak Reached
- 33 Games
- Key Players
- Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Gail Goodrich
- Venue
- Milwaukee Arena
- Significance
- Longest winning streak in NBA history
Lore & Background
The atmosphere in Milwaukee was electric with a mix of hope for an upset and awe at the Lakers' momentum. The Bucks had not lost since December, but they were no match for the Lakers' depth on this night. Wilt Chamberlain controlled the paint with surgical precision, while Jerry West orchestrated the offense with his signature clutch shooting. As the final seconds ticked away on the clock, the 33rd win was secured, cementing a record that has stood unchallenged for over five decades. The victory signaled the arrival of the 'Showtime' era's spiritual predecessor, establishing a dynasty that would culminate in an NBA championship just months later.
In Their Own Story
The air inside the Milwaukee Arena hung heavy, a silent roar building as the clock wound down. Jerry West stood near the sideline, eyes locked on the scoreboard, knowing history was within reach. The final buzzer sounded with the score reading 104-85. Thirty-three. The number settled into the arena like a monument. West raised his arms, not in triumph over Milwaukee, but in reverence to a squad that had defied logic for two months straight.
Reader's Guide
This match was the 33rd game of what would become the longest winning streak in NBA history. The stakes were immense: the Lakers faced the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks, featuring Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson. Despite Milwaukee's efforts to rally, the Lakers' depth proved insurmountable. They won 104-85, securing a record-breaking victory that set the stage for their subsequent NBA Championship run. The streak remains a benchmark of excellence that no team in professional basketball has ever matched.
Did You Know?
- The previous record was 20 consecutive wins, set by the Boston Celtics in 1959-60 and matched in 1970-71; the Lakers shattered it by 13 games.
- Wilt Chamberlain averaged a double-double during the streak but famously did not score more than 40 points in any single game of the run, showcasing his all-around dominance.
- The streak finally ended on January 29, 1972, when the Lakers lost to the Boston Celtics at the Boston Garden.
- Jerry West was named the NBA Finals MVP later that season despite being on the losing team in Game 7 of the Finals against the New York Knicks, a rare distinction.