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Season 1 – Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty

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2:38

Mar 2022

Drama

Sports & Fitness

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Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

60 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

A fast-break drama series that goes back in time to chronicle the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers, one of sports' most revered and dominant dynasties. Based on Jeff Pearlman’s book, Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers, the show takes a look at a team that defined its era, both on and off the court.

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Critics Consensus

Gleefully excessive in both form and function, Winning Time pairs a larger-than-life roster of characters with whiplash style to deliver an absolute slam dunk.

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Graeme Blundell

The Australian

Mar 30, 2022

Like Magic, may it run and run.

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Nick Hilton

Independent (UK)

Mar 29, 2022

4/5

For all its super stellar glamour and the exquisite Seventies and Eighties production design that’s very à la mode, Winning Time is just a whirlwind of benign energy.

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Anita Singh

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Mar 28, 2022

3/5

There is some good stuff here.

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Luigi Benedicto Borges

El Mundo (Spain)

Jan 10, 2023

The best series of 2022. [Full review in Spanish]

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Diego Batlle

Otroscines.com

Dec 20, 2022

4/5

One of the best fictional sports series, Winning Time has great narrative power, impeccable production design in tune with the aesthetics of the time, excellent use of ruthless humor, and a brilliant ensemble. [Full review in Spanish]

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Bill Brioux

Brioux.tv

Aug 30, 2022

At its heart this miniseries is really about risk-takers and dreamers, told with style and humour and plenty of the kind of showmanship Jerry Buss just instinctively knew would turn on the fans. So, yes, a slam dunk.

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Art B

@RT43579371 Sep 2, 2026

Very entertaining historically based, if not 100% historically accurate, tale of how the LA Lakers new owner Jerry Buss circa 1979 brought in young fast living but terrific Magic Johnson and how he promoted Pat Reilly to coach a decent but floundering LA Lakers team featuring the great Kareem Abdul Jabbar, and with this trio leading things, it became the famous dynastic Showtime Lakers. John C Reilly as Buss is particularly outstanding, with heavyweight twice Best Actor Oscar winning Adrien Brody as the intense Reilly as an extra treat. The Only reason I stop short of 5 stars is it makes the great player and executive Jerry West look like a callow fool for comic relief, which he surely never was. He deserved better. Otherwise a great series, with Season I setting up their first Championship season with rookie Magic and a revitalized Kareem.

Caz M

@CazMartino Mar 26, 2026

Going on a basketball movie/tv binge, this has been the most enjoyable! I was thoroughly entertained. I also learnt a lot about the era. Historical and entertaining. Great cast. What more do you need.

Peter B.

@Pomodoro Feb 16, 2026

Juvenile. Cars tires or creatures, certainly not characters. No depth.

Scott W

@RT57361544 Jan 28, 2025

Reilly is hilarious as Buss. My only complaint is that they COMPLETELY ignored the actual schedule, results, and game scores from Magic's rookie season. They beat Boston easily at home, 123-105, then again, 100-98, at Boston just after Christmas. Magic barely played in his first game at Boston Garden--only twenty minutes and one point. Bird played badly too, ending with fourteen in the loss. The series also has them losing to Detroit that year, when in fact they beat them easily both time, home and road. This could have worked with the films but they chucked it.

Ed R

@JustcallmeER Jan 18, 2025

Interesting take on the Lakers 1970 era.

eric s

@RT54985190 Aug 9, 2024

One of the best spirt series, it's a shame it got cancelled

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Max Borenstein

Creator

Jim Hecht

Creator

John C. Reilly

Jerry Buss

Quincy Isaiah

Magic Johnson

Jason Clarke

Jerry West

Gaby Hoffmann

Claire Rothman

Episode 1

Aired Mar 6, 2022

The Swan

In 1979, businessman Jerry Buss stakes his fortune on the purchase of the NBA's lackluster Los Angeles Lakers; the team's coach, Jerry West, bristles at the prospect of drafting college phenom Earvin Johnson, who has been given the moniker "Magic."

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Episode 2

Aired Mar 13, 2022

Is That All There Is?

After giving coach West carte blanche with the Lakers roster, Buss attempts to charm Red Auerbach; Earvin's efforts to impress the women in his life fall flat; Claire's mandate to get creative brings conflict with Buss' daughter, Jeanie.

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Episode 3

Aired Mar 20, 2022

The Best Is Yet to Come

Leaving the Lakers to deal with the fallout of coach West's shocking announcement, Buss travels to Las Vegas and soon becomes entangled with a dangerous foe; Earvin finds himself alone in a new city; Pat Riley seeks out a new place within the team.

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Episode 4

Aired Mar 27, 2022

Who the F... Is Jack McKinney

While training in Palm Springs, the introduction of a new playing style threatens to further divide an already fractured Lakers franchise.

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Episode 5

Aired Apr 3, 2022

Pieces of a Man

The Lakers prepare for the opening game against the Clippers; Kareem doubts his place on the team.

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Episode 6

Aired Apr 10, 2022

Memento Mori

Tragedy strikes the Lakers coaching staff, adding to Buss' mounting list of professional, personal and financial problems.

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Episode 7

Aired Apr 17, 2022

Invisible Man

As the Lakers hit the road, Dr. Buss makes a dangerous bid with coach Westhead.

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Episode 8

Aired Apr 24, 2022

California Dreaming

As the Lakers continue their successful run, Paul and Pat reckon with the tenuous nature of their positions; Earvin meets his childhood hero during a match and gets some good advice.

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Episode 9

Aired May 1, 2022

Acceptable Loss

As the Lakers prepare to enter the playoffs, Buss struggles with the team's tenuous coaching situation and his mother's failing health; later, Haywood receives an ultimatum from Kareem.

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Episode 10

Aired May 8, 2022

Promised Land

Down two men and with the 1980 NBA Championship on the line, the Lakers look to an unlikely source for inspiration.

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Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty: Season 1 Trailer

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Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty: Season 1 Teaser

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Director: Tanya Hamilton, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Damian Marcano, Payman Benz, Adam McKay, Jonah Hill
Creator: Max Borenstein, Jim Hecht
Executive Producer: Adam McKay
Screenwriter: Max Borenstein, Rodney Barnes, Jim Hecht, Rebecca Bertuch
Network: HBO
Rating: TV-MA
Genre: Drama, Sports & Fitness
Original Language: English
Release Date: Mar 6, 2022

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Season 1 – Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty

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