"Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty" is back with another season of entertaining (and occasionally controversial) episodes detailing the "Showtime" era in Los Angeles.
Season 1 of the HBO series, which ran last year from March 6 through May 8, was a hit with critics and viewers. To no one's surprise, the network announced midway through Season 1 that the show had been renewed for a second season.
Now, your favorite Lakers figures are ready to return to the small screen. Here is everything you need to know about Season 2 of "Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty."
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'Winning Time' Season 2 release date
- Date: Sunday, Aug. 6
- Time: 9 p.m. ET
- How to watch: HBO | Max
Season 2 of "Winning Time" will premiere on Sunday, Aug. 6. The first episode of the new season will air on HBO at 9 p.m. ET. Viewers can also stream all episodes of "Winning Time" on Max.
'Winning Time' Season 2 cast
Several characters from Season 1 will be heavily featured in Season 2, including former Lakers owner Jerry Buss (John C. Reilly) and legendary point guard Magic Johnson (Quincy Isaiah).
- John C. Reilly as Jerry Buss
- Quincy Isaiah as Magic Johnson
- Jason Clarke as Jerry West
- Adrien Brody as Pat Riley
- Michael Chiklis as Red Auerbach
- Sean Patrick Small as Larry Bird
- Hadley Robinson as Jeanie Buss
- Jason Segel as Paul Westhead
- Gaby Hoffmann as Claire Rothman
- Solomon Hughes as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- DeVaughn Nixon as Norm Nixon
- Tamera Tomakili as "Cookie" Kelly
'Winning Time' Season 2 plot details
The first 10 episodes of "Winning Time" only chronicled the Lakers' 1979-80 campaign, so there is still plenty of ground to cover.
Season 2 will pick up after Los Angeles defeated Philadelphia to win the 1980 NBA championship. As the trailer for Season 2 shows, the Lakers are struggling to avoid the pitfalls of success.
"It's not an easy road," Adrien Brody, who plays Pat Riley in the series, told E! News. "I think what Season 2 does so well is — we're hot off the heels of this win, and it shows that it's not such an easy path. There's all this personal stuff for everyone to overcome."
"Winning Time" will explore not only the rivalry between the Celtics and Lakers, but also the individual battle between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
"I wouldn't want to be anywhere close to the Lakers when I was on set," said Sean Patrick Small, who portrays Bird. "When I was, I would make sure that I'm trash-talking them the whole time."
And, of course, you can expect more Buss family issues to arise as Jerry and Jeanie attempt to balance their personal lives and professional ambitions.
'Winning Time' Season 2 trailer
(Note: Explicit language in the video below.)
It takes more than one championship to build a dynasty.
— HBO (@HBO) July 20, 2023
A new season of #WinningTime premieres August 6 on @StreamOnMax. pic.twitter.com/SQ2KxItQaK
