Over the years, Hollywood has been obsessed with capturing the glitz, glamour, and drama surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers. Documentaries like “They Call Me Magic” and “Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers” showed that the purple and gold have always been a source of fascination.
HBO’s “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” stood out for its cinematic flair and unfiltered storytelling. But its abrupt cancellation after just two seasons left fans stunned.
Now one of the show’s leading stars, John C. Reilly, has finally revealed why the beloved series came to an unexpected end.
What Did John C. Reilly Say Regarding The “Winning Time” Cancellation?
In a recent episode of “Steve-O’s Wild Ride!” Podcast, Reilly opened up about the behind-the-scenes financial strain that led to “Winning Time’s” demise. The actor, who brilliantly portrayed the charismatic Lakers owner Jerry Buss, explained that recreating the 1980s in all its dazzling detail came with a staggering price tag.
“I was only booked for two seasons. Like that’s all I was supposed to do. That was the plan. Of course, when something is good and it’s doing well, everyone wants it to continue forever. I wanted to get into the Kobe era as much as anybody, and Shaq and stuff.
“I even said to the writer and director of that, I was like, ‘How are we ending the second season? Because you never know what these companies gonna do.’ Like, this is an expensive show. Like the show was costing $16 million an episode. It was because of all the crowd scenes, the sports photography, and the period costumes, everything cost money. Like, if you are not in the present day, everything costs money,” said Reily during the podcast.
Moreover, the actor didn’t stop there but also revealed the truth that big production houses only see the money a show is bringing, not how well the show is performing. Ultimately, the network made the tough decision to cancel the show after its second season.
“Of course I want it to continue, and I think we are in good shape, but you just never know. These are companies. They are businesses. They don’t give a s**t whether something’s good. They only care if it’s making money,” added Reily during the podcast.
For those unfamiliar, “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” premiered in 2022, and chronicled the birth of the “Showtime” era, which is a period that transformed the Lakers into basketball royalty.
The series explored both the professional and personal lives of figures like rookie Magic Johnson, visionary owner Jerry Buss and fiery general manager Jerry West. Starring John C. Reilly, Quincy Isaiah, Jason Clarke, and Adrien Brody, the show blended sports and Hollywood spectacle into one addictive drama.
Its attention to period detail earned it six Emmy nominations. Although it never took home a trophy. Despite its early end, “Winning Time” remains a fan favorite for its unapologetic portrayal of basketball’s golden decade.
Now, coming to reality, the modern-day Lakers continue to write their own dramatic storylines.
Last season, the Los Angeles squad, with the help of stars like LeBron James and Luka Dončić, finished with a (50–32) record. They even clinched a playoff berth. Unfortunately, their postseason run was cut short after a first-round exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Lakers’ front office, who were determined not to repeat the same mistakes, went all-in during the offseason. They added key players such as Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia that signaled a renewed push toward championship contention.
However, their preseason debut didn’t exactly go as planned. In their 2025–26 opener, the Lakers suffered a 103–81 loss to the Phoenix Suns.
While disappointing, it’s far too early to conclude one game. With their next preseason matchup set against the Golden State Warriors on October 5, fans are eager to see how the new-look Lakers respond.
