Is Winning Time season 2 the last season? The End-Credits Scene Explained

Winning Time: The Rise of The Lakers Dynasty season 2 ends with an unexpected end-credits scene that reveals the fate of the main characters.

The scene suggests that the series may not return for a third season, as it covers major events that would otherwise be dramatized in future episodes. The series finale focuses on the epic clash between Magic Johnson’s Lakers and Larry Bird’s Celtics in the 1984 NBA Finals, a pivotal moment in basketball history. The sudden appearance of the end-credits scene leaves the viewers wondering about the future of Winning Time and its portrayal of the Lakers dynasty.

Season 2 ends with a disappointing loss for the Lakers in the 1984 NBA Finals. The series, which has been known for its creative embellishments of the historical events, maintains a faithful and accurate portrayal of the thrilling seven-game series that ignited one of the greatest rivalries in sports history.

The final episode portrays the Lakers as a demoralized and defeated team. Viewers would usually expect such an ending to be followed by their remarkable recovery and revenge against the Celtics in the 1985 NBA Finals in a potential third season. However, the mid and end-credits scenes hint that the series will not return for another season. 

Jerry and Jeanie’s Bond in the Mid-Credits Scene Explained

Winning Time season 2 ends with a somber scene of Magic Johnson and the Lakers coping with their loss to the Celtics in the 1984 NBA Finals.

After a brief black screen, a mid-credits scene shows Jerry Buss and his daughter Jeanie Buss drinking at the center court of The Forum, mirroring a scene from the first episode of season one when Jerry acquired the majority ownership of the Lakers. The mid-credits scene serves as a contrast to the jubilant mood of the season one scene, as well as a tribute to Jerry and Jeanie’s bond and passion for the Lakers.

The scene shows Jerry and his daughter Jeanie celebrating their love for the Lakers despite their loss to the Celtics in the 1984 NBA Finals. The scene reflects Jerry’s optimistic attitude that helped him achieve his success as the owner of the Lakers.

It also foreshadows Jeanie’s future role as the president and controlling owner of the Lakers, a position she inherited after Jerry’s death in 2013. The scene also implies that Jerry was determined to pass on his legacy and vision to Jeanie, who had shown a keen interest and dedication to learning from her father throughout the series. The scene serves as a tribute to Jerry and Jeanie’s relationship and their contribution to the Lakers dynasty.

The End-Credits Scene Depict Several Future Events

The final scene of the season 2 finale reveals the outcomes of the main characters and events featured in the series. The scene is accompanied by Pat Benatar’s song “Shadows of the Night” and seems to indicate the end of the series, as it summarizes the career achievements of coach Pat Riley, star Magic Johnson, and the fate of the Celtics-Lakers rivalry in the 1980s.

These events, such as the 1985 NBA Finals rematch between Bird and Magic, would have been potential topics for a third season of Winning Time. Therefore, the inclusion of these details in the season two end credits scene raises questions about the future of the HBO series.

Will there be a Winning Time season 3?

Winning Time season 2 ends with a final scene that reveals the future of the main characters and events featured in the series. This scene suggests that the series may not return for a third season, as it covers major events that would otherwise be dramatized in future episodes. However, there is still a lot of source material to explore, including the possibility of a spin-off series focusing on Michael Jordan and his impact on the NBA.

The final scene is puzzling and worrying for the fans of the series, who may wonder why HBO would cancel such a star-studded and acclaimed show before portraying the peak of the Lakers’ dynasty.

The series features A-list actors such as John C. Reilly, Adrien Brody, Jason Clarke, and Jason Segel, who have appeared in 14 episodes of the series. The series also seems to have a high production value, which may add to its cost.

Season 2 may be the final season of the series due to several factors that could affect its continuation. The series may have failed to meet HBO’s expectations in terms of ratings and revenue, considering its high production costs.

It may also face challenges in securing the availability and commitment of its talented cast and crew, including McKay, Reilly, Brody, and others. The series is a rare and complex project that requires a large number of extras, licensed music tracks, and period-specific details.

It may also be affected by the ongoing strikes of the Writers Guild and Screen Actors Guild, which could hamper its development and production. These factors could prevent Winning Time from returning with a third season. However, as of now we should wait for the makers to make an official announcement about the same. 

About Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty

Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty is an American sports drama television series created by Max Borenstein and Jim Hecht for HBO, based on the book Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s by Jeff Pearlman.

The first season, comprising 10 episodes, chronicles the 1980s Showtime era of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team (beginning in late 1979), featuring notable NBA stars Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

It features an ensemble cast led by John C. Reilly, Jason Clarke, Jason Segel, Gaby Hoffmann, Rob Morgan, and Adrien Brody. The series premiered on March 6, 2022, with the pilot episode directed by Adam McKay. In April 2022, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on August 6, 2023.