8.9/101,072 votesLoading...#1 - Promised Land
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 5/8/2022
Down two men and with the 1980 NBA Championship on the line, the outnumbered Lakers look to an unlikely source for inspiration. In Philly, Earvin faces off against his role-model-turned-rival Dr. J, while in LA, Haywood grapples with his own worst enemy: himself.
Director: Salli Richardson-Whitfield
Writer: Max Borenstein, Rodney Barnes
8.8/10676 votesLoading...#2 - The Hamburger Hamlet
Season 2 Episode 5 - Aired 9/3/2023
After making his opinion of Westhead known, Earvin gives Buss an ultimatum – leaving West and Pat to pick up the pieces.
Director: Tanya Hamilton
Writer: Max Borenstein, Jim Hecht, Rodney Barnes
8.5/101,222 votesLoading...#3 - Who the F**k Is Jack McKinney?
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 3/27/2022
As the Lakers head to Palm Springs for the start of training camp, Buss finds himself in over his head financially, and the team's new coaches struggle to prove their vision for a groundbreaking method of play. Meanwhile, Jeanie works to bring her father's flair to the Forum.
Director: Damian Marcano
Writer: Max Borenstein, Jim Hecht
8.5/101,097 votesLoading...#4 - Invisible Man
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 4/17/2022
While Buss clashes with West over the coaching staff, Paul calls in a favor from Pat Riley. On the road for the first time, Earvin attempts to reconnect with loved ones in Lansing, before heading to Boston to square off against longtime rival Larry Bird.
Director: Payman Benz
Writer: Max Borenstein, Rodney Barnes
8.4/101,129 votesLoading...#5 - Pieces of a Man
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 4/3/2022
As the Lakers prepare for their season opener against the Clippers, an increasingly frustrated Kareem begins to doubt his place on the team – allowing Coach McKinney to stoke his growing rivalry with Earvin. Jeanie courts star talent for newly minted cheer squad, the Laker Girls, including a promising young dancer, Paula Abdul.
Director: Tanya Hamilton
Writer: Max Borenstein, Rodney Barnes
8.3/10986 votesLoading...#6 - California Dreaming
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 4/24/2022
As the Lakers continue their successful run, Paul and Pat are forced to reckon with the tenuous nature of their positions. Then, Earvin meets his childhood hero at the NBA All-Star game, where he receives some sage advice. Jessie convinces Jeanie to help shield her father from a devastating truth.
Director: Payman Benz
Writer: Max Borenstein, Rodney Barnes
8.3/10936 votesLoading...#7 - Acceptable Loss
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 5/1/2022
As the Lakers prepare to enter the play-offs, Buss struggles with the team's tenuous coaching situation and his mother's failing health. Later, Haywood receives an ultimatum from Kareem.
Director: Salli Richardson-Whitfield
Writer: Max Borenstein, Rodney Barnes
8.3/10567 votesLoading...#8 - "BEAT L.A."
Season 2 Episode 6 - Aired 9/10/2023
Following a series of triumphant wins and devastating losses, the Lakers vie for a face-off with the Celtics – and Larry Bird.
Director: Salli Richardson-Whitfield
Writer: N/A
8.3/10586 votesLoading...#9 - What Is and What Should Never Be
Season 2 Episode 7 - Aired 9/17/2023
Tensions between the Lakers and Celtics flair as Earvin and Larry each fight to the bitter end of the 1984 NBA Finals.
Director: Salli Richardson-Whitfield
Writer: N/A
8.2/101,680 votesLoading...#10 - The Swan
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 3/6/2022
1979. Businessman Jerry Buss stakes his fortune on the purchase of the NBA's lackluster Los Angeles Lakers. Meanwhile, the team's head coach, Jerry West, bristles at the prospect of drafting college phenom Earvin Johnson – who must decide if he's ready to live up to the mantle of his nickname: Magic.
Director: Adam McKay
Writer: N/A
8.0/10575 votesLoading...#11 - The Second Coming
Season 2 Episode 3 - Aired 8/20/2023
In the 1970s, Larry Bird rises from small-town college drop-out to the Celtics' top pick. Later, Earvin presses Buss for a better deal.
Director: Todd Banhazl
Writer: Max Borenstein, Rodney Barnes, Rebecca Bertuch
7.9/10549 votesLoading...#12 - The New World
Season 2 Episode 4 - Aired 8/27/2023
Despite his record-breaking new contract, Earvin continues to butt heads with his teammates… and his domineering coach.
Director: Tanya Hamilton
Writer: Max Borenstein, Jim Hecht, Rodney Barnes
7.8/101,171 votesLoading...#13 - The Good Life
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 3/20/2022
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. Back in LA, Earvin finds himself alone in a new city, while former Laker Pat Riley seeks out a new place within the team.
Director: Damian Marcano
Writer: Max Borenstein, Jim Hecht
7.8/10590 votesLoading...#14 - The Magic Is Back
Season 2 Episode 2 - Aired 8/13/2023
When Earvin’s return threatens the Lakers’ new "system," Pat Riley and Jerry West push for a risky trade. While Coach Westhead fights for his team, Jeanie clashes with her brothers, and a melancholy Buss attempts to court a figure from his past.
Director: Trey Edward Shults
Writer: Max Borenstein, Jim Hecht, Rodney Barnes
7.7/101,277 votesLoading...#15 - Is That All There Is?
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 3/13/2022
After giving Coach West carte blanche with the Lakers roster, Buss attempts to charm fellow franchise owner of the Celtics, Red Auerbach. Meanwhile, Earvin's efforts to impress the women in his life fall flat, and Claire's mandate to get creative brings conflict with Buss' daughter, Jeanie.
Director: Jonah Hill
Writer: Max Borenstein, Jim Hecht
7.7/101,001 votesLoading...#16 - Memento Mori
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 4/10/2022
Assistant coach Paul Westhead adds to the Lakers' growing list of problems when he finds himself dealing with a tragedy of Shakespearean proportions. Increasingly courted by corporate sponsors, Earvin consults a newfound financial advisor.
Director: Tanya Hamilton
Writer: Max Borenstein, Rodney Barnes, Rebecca Bertuch
7.7/10680 votesLoading...#17 - One Ring Don't Make a Dynasty
Season 2 Episode 1 - Aired 8/6/2023
1980. As the Lakers' post-victory season begins, a laser-focused Jerry Buss shores up his all-star roster – and his relationship with his children. Later, a catastrophic injury threatens the team's chance at defending their title.
Director: Salli Richardson-Whitfield
Writer: Max Borenstein, Jim Hecht, Jeff Pearlman
The Best Episodes of Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty
Every episode of Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty!
A fast-break series chronicling the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers, one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties — a...
Genres:DramaComedy
Network:HBO
Best Episodes Summary
"Promised Land" is the best rated episode of "Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty". It scored 8.9/10 based on 1072 votes. Directed by Salli Richardson-Whitfield and written by Max Borenstein, Rodney Barnes, it aired on 5/8/2022. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Hamburger Hamlet".