 Payton struggled with coach Phil Jackson's triangle offense, and Malone missed significant time due to injuries.Despite the setbacks, the Lakers finished the season with a 56–26 overall record, good enough to clinch the second seed in the Western Conference en route to the playoffs.In the playoffs, they defeated the Houston Rockets, the defending champion San Antonio Spurs, and the Minnesota Timberwolves to once again earn the franchise its 28th appearance in the NBA Finals.