‘Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty’ reaches an enthralling moment in its journey in the sixth episode, when the LA Lakers face their most difficult test. The team is in jeopardy with the death of Head Coach Jack McKinney, and a difficult game is on the horizon. As a result, McKinney’s assistant, Paul Westhead, is thrown into the spotlight and compelled to lead the squad. Westhead, on the other hand, must first lose his mild-mannered demeanor and demonstrate that he can be relied on during this trying period.

Nonetheless, given the Lakers’ outstanding start to life under McKinney, doubts about the team’s capacity to succeed without its genius coach have been raised. If you’re wondering whether the Los Angeles Lakers will prove the doubters wrong, here’s everything you need to know about the episode 6 finale of ‘Winning Time’! WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!

Recap of Winning Time Episode 6

‘Momento Mori,’ the sixth episode, begins with Paul Westhead waiting for Jack McKinney to play tennis. He does, however, receive a phone call regarding McKinney’s accident and hurries to the hospital. Meanwhile, Magic Johnson meets with representatives from a variety of shoe companies who want to sign him as their marquee basketball player. Magic, on the other hand, is displeased when they reveal that they are all in communication with Magic’s competitor, Larry Bird.

Phil Knight, the co-founder of a fledgling Nike, on the other hand, impresses Magic with a one-of-a-kind shoe design. He does not, however, have much money to donate. Nonetheless, Knight gives Magic $1 for every shoe sold in exchange for 100,000 shares in the company. Later, Magic meets with Dr. Day to go over his money and choose a shoe sponsor. Jerry Buss is attempting to persuade Great Western Bank to renew their loan arrangement when he discovers that his mother paid the vendors using a closed bank account. When Buss checks on his mother, he notices that she is suffering from dementia.

In other news, the Lakers’ management is made aware of McKinney’s accident. When Buss arrives at the hospital, he discovers McKinney will be unable to coach the team in their upcoming game against the Denver Nuggets. As a result, he delegated responsibilities to assistant coach Paul Westhead. Westhead is doubtful whether he is up to the task, but before he can think about it, he is thrust into the spotlight and compelled to speak with the press. When the squad learns of McKinney’s accident, their morale suffers as well. The rest of the plot is around how Westhead and the Los Angeles Lakers deal with the tragedy of McKinney’s accident.

Winning Time Episode 6: Can the Los Angeles Lakers Win Without McKinney?

Throughout the episode, Westhead strives to match McKinney’s brilliance and devise a strategy for the game versus Denver. To mark Denver’s star player, he must decide whether to start Haywood or Cooper. Westhead states before the game that he will start Cooper and bench Haywood after the latter makes some harsh remarks about the new coach. The Lakers rally and decide to win the game in order to honor their injured coach. The program, however, closes without disclosing the outcome of the game. Instead, the action changes to a hospital, where McKinney awakens to learn that the Lakers had already played versus Denver.

The Los Angeles Lakers did, in fact, win their first game under Paul Westhead. The club defeated the Denver Nuggets by four points in overtime, winning 126–122. The squad would go on to have a strong start under Westhead, who guided the Los Angeles Lakers to five wins in his first six games as interim head coach. Finally, the squad demonstrates that it can compete with or without McKinney on the field due to their intense preparation, hard effort, and adherence to McKinney’s style of play. Westhead, on the other hand, puts his own twist on things and dominates proceedings for the Lakers as the club rises in the standings.

Does Magic call it quits on Cindy?

In the episode, Magic sees his brand potential as numerous shoe brands vie for his signature. As Magic’s financial situation improves, he enlists the assistance of Dr. Thomas Day to handle his assets. Meanwhile, Magic is dating Cindy Day, Day’s daughter who also works as Magic’s publicist. Magic, on the other hand, quickly becomes irritated with Cindy’s attitude as she attempts to depict herself and Magic as a perfect couple and inserts herself in all of his decisions.

Cindy continues to perform despite Magic’s clarification that he is not interested in a meaningful relationship. She sends flowers to McKinney’s hospital without getting Magic’s permission. Magic, on the other hand, recognizes that Cindy just likes him because of his celebrity and decides to end their relationship. However, he checks with Dr. Day to assure that the decision has no impact on their working relationship. Finally, Magic ends his relationship with Cindy and begins to pursue Cookie romantically. The episode concludes with Magic mailing Cookie a few tickets to the upcoming LA Lakers game in Detroit. Cookie receives the tickets and smiles, implying that she is likewise interested in reuniting with Magic.