The Los Angeles Lakers will unveil a statue of Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson on April 9, 2027, adding a ninth monument to Star Plaza outside Crypto.com Arena. The ceremony will precede a home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. CBS Sports first reported the story.
Why is Phil Jackson getting a statue?
Phil Jackson coached the Lakers for 11 seasons, compiling a 610-292 regular-season record and a 118-63 playoff mark. Under his leadership, the team reached the NBA Finals seven times and won five championships, including a historic three-peat from 2000 to 2002. Lakers governor Jeanie Buss stated the statue recognizes his role in restoring the team's championship legacy. "Phil Jackson defines championship basketball for a reason," Buss said. "His masterful approach to coaching brought out the best in some of the greatest athletes to ever play the game."
Jackson, who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007, also won six titles with the Chicago Bulls. His Lakers tenure is most associated with stars like Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal. Jackson attended the statue ceremonies for both players in recent years, making his own honor a fitting next chapter.
Where will the statue be located?
The bronze figure will join eight other Lakers legends immortalized outside the arena. That group includes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Chick Hearn, Magic Johnson, Pat Riley, and Jerry West, alongside Bryant and O'Neal. Star Plaza serves as a permanent museum of the franchise's greatest contributors. Placing Jackson there solidifies his status among the pantheon of Laker greats.
You can explore the history and current roster of these iconic figures on the team's roster page.
What is the current context for the Lakers?
The statue announcement comes during a turbulent time for the franchise's ownership. The Lakers are involved in a potential sale to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger, a move contested in court by Jeanie Buss. Her siblings are seeking to sell their stake and remove her as the team's governor. Buss's prominent quote in the statue press release is seen as a notable assertion of her standing.
The upcoming schedule, which you can view on our schedule page, will be critical for turning the season around.
It remains unclear if Buss will still be part of the ownership group by the April 2027 ceremony. The event will honor Jackson, her former fiancé, alongside the other legends he coached. This blend of past glory and present uncertainty defines a key moment for the Lakers franchise.