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Season 2 – Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty

Play trailer 2:28 Poster for Season 2 – Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty Aug 2023 Drama Sports Play Trailer Watchlist
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82% Tomatometer 22 Reviews 36% 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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Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty — Season 2

Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty — Season 2

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Critics Consensus

Trying to defend the title is hard, but Winning Time's sophomore season keeps pace as some of the best courtside seats to sports history that television can provide.

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Critics Reviews

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David Sims The Atlantic 09/05/2023
Winning Time is now a glitzy scroll down a Wikipedia page, lobbing important details at the viewer without much care for nuance. Go to Full Review
Carol Midgley The Times (UK) 08/08/2023
4/5
... As a piece of drama it is every bit as energetic, flash and audacious as the previous series, with a great use of contemporary music. Go to Full Review
Alan Sepinwall Rolling Stone 08/08/2023
The new batch of episodes feel like a creative downer from last year’s, and thus even less built to take advantage of the friendlier environment in which they’ll be airing. Go to Full Review
Diego Batlle Otroscines.com 12/12/2023
4/5
Winning Time consolidates itself as one of the best sports fiction series... [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
Robert W. Butler Butler's Cinema Scene 10/11/2023
The look of it all! Rarely have we seen a series which so consistently captures the visual and aural sensations of a past era, in this case the 1980s. Go to Full Review
Aidan Smith Scotsman 09/27/2023
... The best-ever basketball drama, admittedly from a field of one. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Ed R @JustcallmeER 01/18/2025 Interesting take on the Lakers acquiring and gelling with Magic Johnson. See more Jeff N @RT73766337 06/08/2024 This is the very definition of prestige television. The writing is some of the best I've ever seen, but it should be mentioned that it did come at a cost in the way of historical accuracy but who cares? I don't watch shows like this for complete historical accuracy as much as I do for high drama and great stories. The acting is on par with any of the great television shows of the past, most of which have been brought to us by HBO also. This show SAVED Adrian Brody for me. I had just never really seen him in anything before where he sold me on being a great actor, but he fits so well into this role it's just too good to not watch. Quincy Isaiah pulls off Magic so well I would put it up there with Will Smith as Muhammed Ali. John C Riley is doing his best work since "Boogie Nights." I love Jason Segal and this is his best work ever. The only problem I have with this show is that it ended a season too early. If the only negative thing you can say about a show is that you want more of it then I would say that is the hallmark of a truly great show. See more lisa s @RT89116414 05/02/2024 Winning Time The Rise of the .Lakers.Dynasty , if you want to really feel like you are there in the world of the Lakers in the early 80s , then you need to watch this HBO series , STARTS OFF with the press conference were magic revealed he had HIV, and then process to go back to show when he was first signed with the Lakers. Then you meet JERRY BUSS the new would-be owner of the Lakers , having a very good time in the playboy mansion, and the series just rolls from there . i really liked this show and because of the strikes the 2nd seasons were just not a patch on the 1st would have loved to see this to the end , Shame there are only 2 seasons of the show , but it was cancelled at the end of the 2nd season because of all the Hollywood strikes See more Sunday Night Streaming o @RT00045868 02/06/2024 Winning Time: the Rise of the Lakers Dynasty Season 2 - 8.8 - Right upon finishing I learned that they would be cancelling the show. So that was a real shot to the chest, but this season was once again great. This season really dove into the Magic and Bird dynamic while giving us a few good backstories along the way. Witnessing the Magic and Bird dynamic unfold was a cinematic marvel, with the standout moment being Bird's legendary game in jeans at Indiana State. The rise of Pat Riley added a layer of depth, revealing the genesis of one of the greatest coaches in basketball history. The glossy, retro visuals transported me straight to the 80s, immersing me in the era that shaped the game we love today. The show illuminated how icons like Kareem, Magic, Bird, and Rambis revolutionized basketball, setting the stage for its enduring popularity. Beyond the court, it delved into the lives of these legends, offering a glimpse into their world outside of basketball. John C. Reilly's portrayal of Jerry Buss was nothing short of brilliant. While it's disheartening that the show won't continue into the Shaq and Kobe era, the potential for that storyline is tantalizing. Imagining a series focused on Kobe and Shaq leaves one's imagination running wild. This was a masterclass in recounting the Lakers' ascent, and it will be sorely missed. They even teased a little bad boys pistons in the finale, oh what could have been. Hopefully someone picks this one up and gives us more of this great show. Official sundaynightstreaming rating of 8.8 See more Kendall @RT34376279 11/08/2023 I absolutely loved this show! My husband and I enjoyed The Last Dance which put us down the rabbit hole of the NBA in the 80s and 90s. We thought this show was incredibly well written, fun and just shows how incredible and intriguing the Lakers' story was under owner Buss. We are devastated they didn't renew for a third season. You don't have to be basketball to fall in love with this eccentric, ball of fun show. We highly recommend it! And the casting is PERFECTION! See more Al R @RT85661282 09/28/2023 This was a really good Show, really sad it got canceled 😞 the casting of the players was tremendous and I enjoyed the dramatization of the events, since I wasn't around to witness them first hand See more Read all reviews
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty — Season 2

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Aug 6, 2023 One Ring Don't Make a Dynasty As the Lakers enter a new season, Buss bets big on his players and children; an on-court injury threatens the team's future. Details Episode 2 Aired Aug 13, 2023 The Magic Is Back Following Earvin's lackluster return, Pat and West angle to trade for a new star player, while Buss courts a figure from his past. Details Episode 3 Aired Aug 20, 2023 The Second Coming In the 1970s, Larry Bird rises from a small-town boy to a position as a sought-after player. Details Episode 4 Aired Aug 27, 2023 The New World Magic Johnson's record contract causes resentment in the dressing room and on the court. Details Episode 5 Aired Sep 3, 2023 The Hamburger Hamlet Superstar Earvin Magic Johnson and Coach Westhead clash; Jerry West picks up the pieces. Details Episode 6 Aired Sep 10, 2023 Beat L.A. The Lakers win another championship, but after humiliating defeats, they have to regroup. Details Episode 7 Aired Sep 17, 2023 What Is and What Should Never Be Tensions reach a new peak between the Lakers and Celtics, especially between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, during the 1984 NBA Finals. Details Episode 8 Aired Sep 17, 2023 F**k Boston! A dramatic look at the glitz and glamour of 1980s Los Angeles and the rise of the NBA's Lakers, Dr. Jerry Buss and Magic Johnson. Details
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Season Info

Director
Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Trey Edward Shults, Tanya Hamilton, Todd Banhazl
Creator
Max Borenstein, Jim Hecht
Executive Producer
Adam McKay
Screenwriter
Rodney Barnes, Max Borenstein, Jim Hecht, Rebecca Bertuch
Network
HBO
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Drama, Sports
Original Language
English
Release Date
Aug 6, 2023