2008–09 NBA season
The 2008–09 NBA season was the league’s 63rd season. The Los Angeles Lakers won the championship, defeating the Orlando Magic four games to one in the Finals. Kobe Bryant was named the Finals MVP.
Regular season ran from October 28, 2008 to April 16, 2009, with 82 games for each of the 30 teams. The playoffs followed from April 18 to May 30, 2009, and the Finals were held June 4–14, 2009.
Key awards and players:
- Regular Season MVP: LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers)
- Top scorer: Dwyane Wade (Miami)
- Top draft pick: Derrick Rose, selected first overall by the Chicago Bulls (Rose later won the Rookie of the Year in 2009)
Conference champions:
- Eastern Conference: Orlando Magic (runners-up: Cleveland Cavaliers)
- Western Conference: Los Angeles Lakers (runners-up: Denver Nuggets)
Notable moves and events:
- This was the first season since 1966–67 without the Seattle SuperSonics, who moved to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder.
- The 2009 All-Star Game was in Phoenix, where the West defeated the East 146–119. Co-MVPs were Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. Slam Dunk Contest winner Nate Robinson, Rookie Challenge MVP Kevin Durant, and the Three-Point Shootout winner Daequan Cook were also highlights of the All-Star weekend.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 14:52 (CET).