'Winning Time' Episode 10: Will finale show Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's 40- point epic against 76ers?
It goes without saying that Los Angeles Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the epitome of toughness. He could take some serious hits while dishing it back in equal measure. 'Winning Time and the Rise of the Lakers Dynasty' Episode 10 finale just might showcase his brilliance against the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA finals. While it was Earvin 'Magic Johnson' who took the team from good to great, there was no denying that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the one who dished out an epic performance throughout the series until he suffered an ankle injury in Game 5.
The HBO series, all entertaining and equally controversial, will end with what promises to be one humdinger finale on Sunday (May 8) with the Lakers led by Paul Westhead (Jason Segel) and Pat Riley (Adrien Brody) taking on the 76ers. With Spencer Haywood (Wood Harris) not in the equation, the Purple and Gold still managed to take the lead in Game 1, then lost game 2. There pattern repeated and the two teams reunited for a vital Game 5 where Abdul-Jabbar went up for a finger roll, watched the ball fall through the hoop and landed rather awkwardly on his left ankle. The injury was deemed severely by team physician Robert Kerlan.
RELATED ARTICLES
'Winning Time' Episode 10: Will HBO series finale show the firing of Paul Westhead?
'Winning Time' Episode 9: Did you know Jack McKinney was unaware that he was fired as Lakers coach?
It was typical for the center to play through the throbbing pain, who wanted to stay in the game. Jeff Pearlman, in his book, ''Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s' relived the moment Abdul-Jabbar walked out with a taped ankle and receive a "thunderous" ovation from the 17,505 fans at the Forum. It was a game to remember that saw him bang down 40 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks. Adding to this was that clutch three that broke a 103-103 tie.
The author also gives a detailed account of what happened following the team's 3-2 lead. Abdul-Jabbar has whisked away to the emergency room of the Centinela Hospital Medical Center. While Kerlan suspected a broken fibula, X-rays confirmed a nasty sprain. He was unable to walk the following day despite receiving a shot of hydrocortisone and Xylocaine. It's safe to assume that this beat will almost certainly make the finale of the much-awaited sports drama. Who wouldn't want to see Solomon Hughes walk play and act like Abdul-Jabbar with consummate ease?
'Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty' finale airs Sunday, May 8, 2022, at 9 pm ET on HBO.