The 1960-61 Los Angeles Lakers season was the 14th in franchise history, 13th as a member of the National Basketball Association, and the first season for the franchise in Southern California, following their off-season relocation from the Twin Cities of Minnesota.
The Lakers finished in second-place in the NBA Western Division, with a record of 36-43, 15 games behind the St. Louis Hawks. The Lakers qualified for the Western Division playoffs, defeating the Detroit Pistons, three games to two in the semifinals, before losing again to the Hawks in the West Finals, four games to three.