The Lakers finished the regular season with the best record in NBA history at 69-13, a mark that would be unequalled until the 1995–96Chicago Bulls finished 72-10. Led by Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West, the Lakers won their first championship in Los Angeles; their previous title had been in 1954 as the Minneapolis Lakers.
The Lakers won their first NBA Finals in the last nine appearances, without superstar Elgin Baylor, who had played in each of the preceding eight finals losses. Baylor retired nine games into the season because of ongoing knee problems.