National Basketball Association

Los Angeles Lakers: Shaquille O'Neal's Top 5 Finals Performances

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Newly inducted Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal provided a number of memorable playoff moments during eight-year run with the Los Angeles Lakers. Here is a look back at a few of them.

HOUSTON, UNITED STATES: Houston Rockets Hakeem Olajuwan (C) and Shandon Anderson (R) try to defend against the Los Angeles Lakers Shaquille O’Neal (L) in the first quarter of Thursday’s game in Houston, Texas, at the Compaq Center 21 December, 2000. AFP PHOTOJames NIELSEN (Photo credit should read JAMES NIELSEN/AFP/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers acquired Shaquille O’Neal prior to the start of the 1996-97 campaign. Although it would take a few seasons before the Lakers would return to the NBA mountaintop, O’Neal was one of the catalysts that helped lead them to a trio of titles in the early 2000s.

During his eight-year run in Hollywood, Shaq’s averages included 27.0 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per outing on an efficient 58 percent shooting from the field.

Additionally, Shaq was named to the All-NBA First Team six times (1997-98, 1999-00, 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04); All-Defensive Second Team three times (1999-00, 2000-01, 2002-03) and he was the Finals MVP of each of those championship series.

As one can imagine, O’Neal provided Lakers fans with a plethora of memorable playoff moments during their three-year reign as champions.

So to commemorate O’Neal’s recent induction into the Hall of Fame, here is a look back at some of his most memorable Finals performances while he was a member of the purple and gold.

Please note: the games on the following list are ranked based on game score, which is a formula that is used to measure a player’s productivity from a specific game.

AUBURN HILLS, MI – JUNE 10: Shaquille O’Neal #34 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on from the bench in the fourth quarter of game three of the 2004 NBA Finals against the Detroit Pistons on June 10, 2004 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images)

5. June 13, 2004: Los Angeles Lakers at Detroit Pistons (Game 4)

During their previous three previous Finals appearances, the phrase “must win” wasn’t a subject that came up very often. However, coming off a 20-point thrashing by the Pistons in Game 3, this contest was exactly that for the Lakers.

The two teams battled back and forth for three quarters, with the scored tied at 56 heading into the final frame. That is when the Pistons seized control of the game with a 7-0 run that gave them a 77-67 edge with under five minutes left to play.

Unfortunately for Shaq and the Lakers, they would get no closer than seven points the rest of the way, as the Pistons came away with an 88-80 victory. The Pistons would go on to win Game 5 as well, knocking off a Lakers team that was making its fourth Finals appearance in five seasons.

O’Neal finished the contest with 36 points, 20 rebounds, two assists and a game score of 30.6. His scoring and rebounding numbers were the highest of any game of that series.

LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES: Shaquille O’Neal (L) of the Los Angeles Lakers works against Dikembe Mutombo (R) of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter of game two of the NBA Finals 08 June 2001 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The 76ers lead the best of seven game series 1-0. AFP PHOTO/ MIKE NELSON (Photo credit should read MIKE NELSON/AFP/Getty Images)

4. June 8, 2001: Lakers vs Philadelphia 76ers (Game 2)

The Lakers were fresh off a stunning home loss in Game 1 (more on that in a bit) and they could ill afford to go on the road facing an 0-2 deficit, even if it was against the underdog Sixers.

As was the case more times than not during their championship reign, O’Neal and the Lakers responded in appropriate fashion following a postseason loss. While Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 31 points, it was O’Neal who had the best all-around performance of any player on the court.

In the pivotal Game 2, O’Neal scored 28 points; pulled down a whopping 20 rebounds, handed out nine assists to go along with eight blocks. Simply put, it doesn’t get much better than that.

As a result of O’Neal’s phenomenal outing, the Lakers tied the series at 1-1. Even more important, they sent a message to the Sixers that their win in Game 1 was nothing more than an aberration.

LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES: Los Angeles Lakers’ Shaquille O’Neal (R) clashes with Philadelphia 76ers’ Dikembe Mutombo during the first quarter of NBA Finals, Game 1, at the Staples Center, Los Angeles, 06 June 2001. AFP PHOTO / JEFF HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images)

3. June 6, 2001: Lakers vs. Sixers (Game 1)

Coming into this Finals series against the Sixers, not only were the Lakers the prohibitive favorites, they were expected to sweep their counterpart in four games.

The lofty expectations were supported by the fact that the Lakers had reeled off 19 consecutive wins, including victories in their first 11 games of the postseason. Furthermore, they were the defending champions and the Sixers just didn’t have the same level of talent to put it nicely.

But this is why they play the games, right?

Both teams would relinquish double-digit leads. The Lakers jumped out to an early 18-5 advantage before watching the Sixers take a 56-50 edge into intermission.

Meanwhile, the Sixers built a 73-58 lead in the third quarter before settling for 94-94 tie going into overtime. Behind O’Neal’s 44-point, 20-rebound effort, the Lakers appeared to be heading toward their 20th straight win after scoring the first five points in the extra session.

However, the Sixers scored 13 of the game’s final 15 points — including seven straight by Allen Iverson — who hit this beautiful jumper over Tyronn Lue.

That shot gave the Sixers a 103-99 lead and they would go on to win the game 107-101. However, the Lakers responded with four straight wins to close out the postseason with an impressive 15-1 mark.

This outing was the third time that O’Neal scored at least 40 points and grabbed 20 rebounds during that playoff run.

LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES: Jason Collins (R) of the New Jersey Nets guards Shaquille O’Neal (L) of the Los Angeles Lakers during game two of the NBA Finals 07 June 2002 at the Stapes Center in Los Angeles, CA. The Lakers won the game 106-83 to lead the best-of-seven game series 2-0. AFP PHOTO/Lucy NICHOLSON (Photo credit should read LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP/Getty Images)

2. June 7, 2002: Lakers vs. New Jersey Nets (Game 2)

Following a tough seven-game series against the Sacramento Kings in the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers had already conquered their greatest postseason foe.

Sure, the Nets lost by a slim five-point margin in the series opener, but they weren’t expected to keep the Lakers from winning it all again.

Despite trailing by 20 points, the Nets didn’t go away quietly, trimming the deficit to just six points (83-77) in the fourth quarter. However, O’Neal quickly restored order, igniting a 23-6 run to help the Lakers cruise to an easy 106-83 victory.

After registering 36 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks in Game 1, Shaq was back at it again in Game 2. He finished the contest with 40 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists and a game score of 35.

Along with that, he converted 12 of his 14 attempts from the charity stripe. The Lakers would go on to take the series in four games, giving Phil Jackson the third three-peat of his coaching career.

LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 7: Shaquille O’Neal of the Los Angeles Lakers moves the ball during Game One of the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers on June 7, 2000 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images)

June 7, 2000: Lakers vs. Indiana Pacers (Game 1)

The Finals series between these two teams was one of firsts. For starters, it was the first year Jackson returned to the coaching sidelines after guiding the Chicago Bulls to six titles. And it was only fitting that he picked up where he left off by helping the Lakers reach the Finals in his first year with the team.

On the other side of the equation, the Pacers had finally broken through the Eastern Conference, ending years of postseason disappointment. But as good as the Pacers were behind the trio of Reggie Miller, Rik Smits and Mark Jackson, they were not in the same stratosphere as the Lakers.

That fact was evident from the series opener. In Game 1, Shaq pounded the Pacers to the tune of 43 points, 19 boards and four dimes. Meanwhile, Miller produced seven points while converting just one of his 16 attempts.

Taking that into consideration, it should come as no surprise that the Lakers rolled to a 104-87 victory.

To put O’Neal’s dominant performance into perspective, it is worth noting that the Pacers’ starting five scored a total of just 58 points. Food for the thought to say the least.

Both the regular season and the playoffs would prove to be a banner year for O’Neal.

He was the co-MVP of the All-Star game along with Tim Duncan. He was the near-unanimous league MVP and was the unanimous NBA Finals MVP as the Lakers defeated the Pacers in six games, giving the team its first championship since 1988.

During the series, O’Neal averaged an eye-popping 38.0 points, 16.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per contest on 61 percent shooting.

Although he may not be remembered as the greatest Laker of all time, O’Neal was certainly an unstoppable force that no team had an answer for during those memorable title runs.