LeBron James has been sidelined from the lineup due to a left elbow contusion and left foot arthritis. The four-time NBA champion has now missed two consecutive games. However, the Lakers managed to win both contests behind spectacular performances from Luka Dončić.
Those dominant wins, along with Dončić’s scoring surge, have revived a familiar debate that the Lakers might be better without LeBron James on the floor. Not everyone agrees, though, as former four-time All-Star DeMarcus Cousins recently pushed back on that claim.
DeMarcus Cousins Disagrees With Better Without LeBron James Narrative
James last played on March 5 against the Denver Nuggets. In that game, he finished with 16 points, five rebounds, eight assists, and three steals, but the Lakers fell 120–113.
The next two games told a different story. Without James in the lineup, the Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers 128–117 behind Dončić’s explosive 44-point outing. They then followed it up with a 110–97 victory over the New York Knicks, with Dončić once again leading the charge with 35 points.
Those wins, combined with Dončić’s hot streak, quickly fueled the narrative that the Lakers might function better without James on the court.
Statistically, the discussion has some surface-level support. The Lakers hold a 13–7 record in games James has missed this season. By comparison, they are 26–18 when the four-time champion is in the lineup.
Cousins, however, dismissed the narrative during an appearance on the Run It Back Show.
“I don’t agree,” Cousins said. “We’re talking about LeBron James. We’re talking about an all-time great. I don’t like this narrative that’s being pushed about LeBron James.
“Obviously, this is a team that’s ready to move on and focus on their future, which is totally fine. The way they continue to try to devalue LeBron and what might be his last year with the Lakers, I just don’t like. The guy deserves more respect.
“I don’t think, regardless if LeBron is on the floor or off, that they’re a championship-contending team. They have a lot of holes that need to be filled with this team. I just don’t like this narrative that’s continuing to be pushed as far as trying to devalue LeBron James.
“I think he brings value to any team he’s a part of. He’s shown that throughout his entire career. Obviously, he’s a lot older. I mean, he’s basically an old man. He’s dealing with arthritis in his foot — that’s some old man s**t, which is okay. You don’t usually see arthritis on the injury report.
“At the end of the day, this is LeBron James. He deserves a lot more respect. This is a league legend. He brought the Lakers a championship. He deserves more respect.”
Part of the conversation around the Lakers’ offense stems from the presence of three ball-heavy creators — James, Dončić, and Austin Reeves. All three thrive with the ball in their hands, which has raised concerns about offensive rhythm and spacing when the trio shares the floor.
The heavy on-ball style can sometimes slow ball movement and limit catch-and-shoot opportunities, while defensive issues have also surfaced during stretches when the team struggles to get back in transition.
Despite those discussions, James remains productive even in his 23rd NBA season. The future Hall of Famer is averaging 21.4 points per game during the 2025–26 campaign.
However, injuries have started to pile up. James already missed 14 games earlier this season due to sciatica and has now been sidelined for 20 games overall.
The Lakers must hope their superstar returns when they face the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 10, a matchup against the team led by four-time All-Star Anthony Edwards.
