 After sweeping the Portland Trail Blazers 3–0 in the first round of the playoffs, then defeating the San Antonio Spurs 4–1 in the semifinals, the Lakers were pushed to the brink once more in the Western Conference Finals by the Sacramento Kings, winning the series in seven games after being down 3–2.They then went on to win the NBA Finals, defeating and sweeping the New Jersey Nets in four straight games for their second three-peat in franchise history, the first since 1952–54.Following the season, Richmond retired and Hunter was traded to the Toronto Raptors.