Lakers to immortalize Pat Riley with statue at Crypto Arena

The Los Angeles Lakers will immortalize one of the architects of their storied “Showtime” era, Pat Riley, with a statue unveiling set for February 22 next year. 

The ceremony will coincide with their home game against archrival Boston Celtics, adding extra sparkle to one of the NBA’s most iconic matchups. Riley will join Lakers greats Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Shaquille O’Neal, and legendary broadcaster Chick Hearn in Star Plaza.

Riley, now 80, guided the Lakers from 1981 to 1990, delivering four NBA championships in 1982, 1985, and back-to-back titles in 1987 and 1988. With Johnson orchestrating the offense, Abdul-Jabbar anchoring the middle, and stars like James Worthy completing the lineup, Riley’s up-tempo, fast-break system produced a remarkable 533–194 record in the regular season, along with 102 playoff wins.

 The Lakers won at least 50 games in each of his nine seasons at the helm, and an astounding 60 or more in five straight years. His brilliance earned him the NBA Coach of the Year award for the 1989–90 season.

Forever a part of Lakers history.

We are honored to share that Pat Riley’s statue will be unveiled on Star Plaza on February 22. pic.twitter.com/p6ozuVn1Rw

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 14, 2025

Before his legendary coaching run, Riley played for the Lakers from 1970 to 1975, served as a broadcaster, and later became an assistant under Paul Westhead in 1979. 

He was part of the 1971–72 championship team that set an NBA-record 33-game winning streak. Beyond Los Angeles, Riley also left his mark with the New York Knicks in the 1990s and the Miami Heat in the 2000s, capturing another title in 2006 with Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal.

Today, he continues to shape the Heat as their president of basketball operations, with the franchise honoring him last season by naming their home court in his honor.

For Lakers fans, the statue will not just celebrate a coaching legend — it will stand as a tribute to an era defined by style, dominance, and the golden standard of basketball excellence.

OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.