Jamaal Wilkes

Cross-checked official NBA, Lakers, Warriors, and 76ers histories, Wilkes's Hall of Fame and legends profiles, championship retrospectives, and verified archived box scores. The order foregrounds his often-overlooked authorship of two Lakers clinchers, preserves his rookie role in Golden State's upset title, and represents both his individual scoring peak and the final Finals run of his prime.

1. #1. Wilkes delivered 37 points and 10 rebounds—including six offensive boards and 25 second-half points—as the Lakers won 123–107 at Philadelphia in 1980 Finals Game 6, an all-time clinching performance often obscured by Magic Johnson's 42-point masterpiece. NBA: Wilkes's performance for the ages in the 1980 clincher · NBA official Lakers–76ers Finals Game 6 box score
2. #2. The Rookie of the Year contributed 12 points, eight rebounds, two steals, and two blocks while helping hold Elvin Hayes to 15 points as Golden State won 96–95 at Washington, completing one of the great Finals upsets with a four-game sweep. NBA: Wilkes's defensive mastery in the 1975 Finals sweep · NBA official Warriors–Bullets Finals Game 4 box score
3. #3. Wilkes scored a game-high 27 points with five rebounds, three assists, and two steals as Los Angeles beat Philadelphia 114–104 in 1982 Finals Game 6, sealing his third championship and second in three seasons. NBA history: Wilkes leads the 1982 title clincher with 27 · NBA official 76ers–Lakers Finals Game 6 box score
4. #4. Wilkes scored a regular-season career-high 36 points with seven rebounds and three assists in a 112–94 victory over Atlanta, representing the scoring command of the 21.1-point championship season at the center of his prime. NBA legends profile: Wilkes's 1981–82 championship prime · NBA official Hawks–Lakers box score
5. #5. Wilkes produced 28 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and five steals as Los Angeles won 115–109 at Portland, closing a first-round sweep during the last of his four career trips to the NBA Finals. NBA legends profile: Wilkes and the Lakers' 1983 Finals return · NBA official Lakers–Trail Blazers Game 3 box score

Reviewed through 2026-07-18