On October 19, 1960, two of the most important players in NBA history began their professional careers on the same floor.
Oscar Robertson made his debut for the Cincinnati Royals, while Jerry West played his first NBA game for the newly relocated Los Angeles Lakers. Cincinnati won the matchup 140-123, spoiling the Lakers’ first game of their inaugural season in Los Angeles.
Robertson immediately looked like a star. The “Big O” finished with 21 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists, recording a triple-double in his very first NBA appearance. He played 43 minutes and helped Cincinnati take control early, with the Royals scoring 66 points in the first half and 109 through three quarters.
West was productive in his debut as well. The future Lakers icon scored 20 points, shooting 7-of-16 from the field and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line, while adding five assists. Elgin Baylor led Los Angeles with 35 points and 17 rebounds, but the Lakers could not keep pace with Cincinnati’s offense.
The game became even more significant with time because both rookies went on to become defining figures of their generation. Robertson developed into a 12-time All-Star and one of the league’s original triple-double icons, while West became a 14-time All-Star, an NBA champion and one of the most recognizable figures in league history.
The October 19 matchup also marked the beginning of a new era for the Lakers. The franchise had moved from Minneapolis to Los Angeles before the 1960-61 season, making West’s debut part of the opening chapter of one of basketball’s most famous franchises on the West Coast.
Few opening nights have aged quite like this one. Robertson and West walked onto an NBA court as rookies on opposite sides. By the time their careers were over, both had become permanent parts of basketball history.
