Prior to the NBA suspending its season due to concerns over the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Los Angeles Lakers held the distinction of being the only Western Conference team to officially clinch a playoff berth.
The accomplishment was notable, as the team had been mired in a franchise-worst seven-year postseason drought. One of the few bright spots during that difficult stretch was watching Kobe Bryant play out the final seasons of his Hall-of-Fame career.
The 2014-15 season was especially trying, as a rotator cuff tear in his right shoulder limited Bryant to only 35 games. The Lakers as a whole struggled and posted a 21-61 record — good for the second-worst record by winning percentage in franchise history.