Game 1, 1972-73 NBA Finals
May 1, 1973 · The Forum, Inglewood, California
Game 1, 1972-73 NBA Finals: LALLos Angeles Lakers 115–112 New York Knicks, at The Forum, Inglewood, California on May 1, 1973.
Willis Reed, returning from major knee surgery that cost him most of the prior season, started at center; the Lakers held on for a narrow opening win.
Box score
| LALLos Angeles Lakers starters | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | PTS | REB | AST |
| Wilt Chamberlain | 12 | 20 | 6 |
| Gail Goodrich | 30 | 3 | 5 |
| Jim McMillian | 27 | 3 | 4 |
| Bill Bridges | 9 | 11 | 1 |
| Jerry West | 24 | 1 | 4 |
Bench (10+ points): Mel Counts (11)
| NYKNew York Knicks starters | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | PTS | REB | AST |
| Dave DeBusschere | 25 | 16 | 3 |
| Walt Frazier | 12 | 5 | 8 |
| Bill Bradley | 24 | 6 | 5 |
| Earl Monroe | 18 | 1 | 1 |
| Willis Reed | 10 | 4 | 2 |
Bench (10+ points): Jerry Lucas (16)
Sources
Data last verified: 11 August 2026.
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