HBO's Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty explores the 1980s era of the Los Angeles Lakers, featuring a big cast playing real-life characters. Created by Max Borenstein and Jim Hecht, HBO Max's new sports drama is partially directed by Don't Look Up's Adam McKay. The Winning Time show depicts a moment of change for the world-famous NBA franchise, the Los Angeles Lakers. The show is based on Jeff Pearlman's book Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s, with the planned first season focusing on Jerry Buss buying the team and Magic Johnson becoming the centerpiece for the "Showtime Lakers."

Winning Time's story begins in 1979 as the NBA Draft approaches. Earvin 'Magic' Johnson is one of the nation's top basketball prospects after leading Michigan State to the NCAA Championship. Despite the Lakers having a successful season in 1978 where Kareem Abdul-Jabarr helped lead them to the second round of the playoffs, they had a chance for the 1st overall pick after making a trade with the New Orleans Jazz, who finished with the worst record. At the same time the Los Angeles Lakers are preparing for the coin flip to determine their draft spot, businessman Jerry Buss was finalizing a deal to buy the team and other assets from Jack Kent Cooke.

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The 10-episode series for HBO Max received mostly positive reviews prior to Winning Time's debut on March 6, 2022. In addition to including Jerry Buss, Magic Johnson, and Kareem Adbul-Jabarr, the show also features many other real-life people connected to the NBA and the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1980s. Winning Time boasts an incredibly talented ensemble as a result of its wide-ranging story. Here's a complete guide to Winning Time's cast and real-life characters.

John C. Reilly as Jerry Buss

Winning Time Cast John C Reilly Jerry Buss

John C. Reilly leads Winning Time's cast as he plays Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss. An accomplished businessman and real-estate owner, Jerry Buss purchased the Lakers in 1979 for $67.5 million, which also included the Los Angeles Kings NHL team and The Forum arena. He remained the majority owner of the Lakers up until his death in 2013. Viewers are sure to recognize John C. Reilly from his various comedies like Step Brothers and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. He was also nominated for an Oscar for his role in Chicago and earned acclaim for performances in Boogie Nights and Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.

Quincy Isaiah as Magic Johnson

Winning Time Cast Quincy Isaiah Magic Johnson

The main NBA player in Winning Time is Earvin 'Magic' Johnson, who is played by newcomer Quincy Isaiah. Magic Johnson is considered one of the greatest players in NBA history and one of the best Lakers ever. He spent his entire NBA career with the California team after they drafted him with the 1st overall pick. Magic became a five-time NBA Champion, three-time NBA Finals MVP, three-time regular-season MVP, and one of the greatest passers the league has ever seen during his Lakers tenure. Magic Johnson's NBA career was cut short after he tested positive for HIV in 1991, although he did come back for half a season in 1996.

Jason Clarke as Jerry West

Winning Time Cast Jason Clarke Jerry West

HBO's Winning Time also features Jason Clarke playing Jerry West. The legendary basketball player won one NBA Championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1972 and became the logo of the NBA. Jerry West's story in Winning Time revolves around the end of his tenure as the coach of the Lakers, which came before moving through the organization's executive ranks to eventually become the general manager. Viewers could recognize Jason Clarke from his roles in LawlessZero Dark ThirtyDawn of the Planet of the ApesTerminator Genisys, and Pet Sematary.

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Solomon Hughes as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Winning Time Cast Solomon Hughes Kareem Abdul-Jabaar

Solomon Hughes makes his acting debut in Winning Time as he plays Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, formerly known as Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. After starting his career with the Milwaukee Bucks, he played the majority of his games with the Los Angeles Lakers. Kareem is considered to be one of the most dominant big men in NBA history, as he was a six-time NBA Champion, two-time NBA Finals MVP, six-time regular-season MVP, and gained a reputation for his incredible defense. Winning Time features Game of Death's Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as he began making movie and TV show appearances, including his memorable role in Airplane!

Sean Patrick Small as Larry Bird

Winning Time Cast Sean Patrick Small Larry Bird

Winning Time's cast also includes Sean Patrick Small as Larry Bird, who is Magic Johnson's biggest career rival. Larry Bird entered the NBA with the Boston Celtics after losing to Magic Johnson in the NCAA Championship game, which ended Indiana State's otherwise undefeated season. He is one of the best basketball players the NBA has ever seen, as his accolades include being a three-time NBA Champion, two-time NBA Finals MVP, and two-time regular-season MVP.

Winning Time's Other Real-Life NBA Players & Personalities

Winning Time Bill Sharman Jerry West Jerry Buss
  • Brett Cullen as Bill Sharman - A former NBA player and four-time NBA Champion turned Lakers coach, Bill Sharman in the Lakers general manager during Winning Time. Brett Cullen has recently been seen in Joker as Thomas Wayne.
  • Michael Chiklis as Red Auerbach - Former Fantastic 4 star Michael Chiklis plays legendary Boston Celtics coach and executive Red Auerbach.
  • David Purdham as Larry O'Brien - Winning Time's cast sees David Purdham plays Larry O'Brien, the NBA's commissioner from 1975 to 1984.
  • DeVaughn Nixon as Norm Nixon - Norm Nixon's real-life son DeVaughn Nixon makes his acting debut playing his father, who was the Los Angeles Lakers point guard during Magic Johnson's rookie season.
  • Spencer Garrett as Chick Hearn - For All Man Kind actor Spencer Garrett plays legendary NBA announcer Chick Hearn, who did play-by-play commentary for the Los Angeles Lakers for 41 years.

Winning Time's Supporting Characters

  • Gaby Hoffman as Claire Rothman - Claire Rothman is the accountant working for Jack Kent Cooke in Winning Time who goes on to become the vice president of The Forum. Gaby Hoffman previously appeared in Girls as Caroline Sackler.
  • Hadley Robinson as Jeanie Buss - Utopia season 1 star Hadley Robinson plays Jeanie Buss, the daughter of Jerry and future owner of the Los Angeles Lakers.
  • Rob Morgan as Earvin Johnson Sr - The hardworking father of Magic Johnson in Winning Time is played by Rob Morgan, who has appeared in Stranger Things and Marvel's Netflix shows as Turk Barrett.
  • Lisagay Hamilton as Christine Johnson - LisaGay Hamilton from This Is Us and House of Cards plays Magic Johnson's mother, Christine Johnson.
  • Rickey Eugene Brown as Quincy Johnson - Quincy Johnson is the younger brother of Magic Johnson by Rickey Brown, who has been on NCIS and S.W.A.T.
  • Michael O'Keefe as Jack Kent Cooke - Jack Kent Cooke is the former owner of the Los Angeles Lakers who sells the team to Jerry Buss. Oscar-nominated actor Michael O'Keefe (The Great Santini) plays him.
  • Stephen Adly Guirgis as Frank Mariani - Played by Vice and Motherless Brooklyn actor Stephen Adly Guirgis, Frank Mariani is a longtime associate of Jerry Buss and becomes the Lakers' CEO.
  • Kirk Bovill as Donald Sterling - Vice actor Kirk Bovill is part of Winning Time's cast playing the real-life person Donald Sterling, an attorney who eventually buys the Los Angeles Clippers.
  • Tamera Tomakili as Earleatha 'Cookie' Kelly - Magic Johnson's current girlfriend in Winning Time and future wife Cookie Kelly is played by Fruitvale Station actress Tamera Tomakili.
  • Kate Arrington as Joann Mueller - Mare of Easttown actress Kate Arrington plays Joann Mueller, Jerry Buss' wife, in Winning Time.

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New episodes of Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty release on HBO/HBO Max at 9 pm EST every Sunday.