The Los Angeles Lakers peaked during their March matchups, crystallizing their 2026 playoff dream. Since entering March, the Lakers have posted a 13-2 record while maintaining a 35.7% efficiency from beyond the arc on the season.
Despite sitting comfortably as the third seed in the Western Conference with a 47-26 record, not everyone is sold on the Lakers’ 2026 title contention.
Why Ashley Nicole Moss Calls the Lakers ‘Pretenders’
Following a 113-110 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Monday, which snapped their nine-game winning streak, the Lakers quickly rebounded with a gritty seven-point victory (137-130) over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Despite Monday night’s setback, the Lakers have shown dominance this month. Following a loss on March 6, they rattled off a nine-game winning streak before Monday’s defeat.
However, NBA analyst Ashley Nicole Moss has expressed significant skepticism about the Lakers’ performance on the hardwood in an interview with CBS Sports.
“They are getting hot at the right time… But for me, the Lakers are Pretenders,” Moss said. “This is not a championship team. This is not a Western Conference Finals team.”
She added, “Depending on the matchup, if by the grace of God, they get a very easy matchup that allows Luka and LeBron to be as dominant as they always are, and that pushes the Lakers to the second round, then glory to them. But realistically, if they go against a team like the Denver Nuggets, they are going to get the floor mopped with them. They are not a good basketball team. This is not a good basketball team.”
After CBS Sports shared the interview clip, Moss quoted the post and wrote, “There are going to be Lakers fans mad at this, but whatever. LeBron and Luka are INCREDIBLE TALENTS. This is not a championship team. There’s nothing about this team (as a whole) that has championship written on it.”
Nicole Moss Gives Los Angeles a Playoff Matchup Reality Check
Moss’ critique centers on the Lakers’ lack of depth and defensive consistency, which are required to survive a seven-game series against the heavyweights of the Western Conference. While the duo of LeBron James and Luka Dončić provides an unparalleled level of star power and offensive intensity, for Moss, the team’s success remains largely matchup-dependent and a matter of “God’s grace.” For her, the Lakers lack the qualities she expects from an NBA championship team.
Dončić is averaging a season-high 33.6 points and the third-most assists with 8.3, while shooting 47.4% from the field and 36.4% from deep in 61 games. On the other hand, James has appeared on the injury report multiple times during the 2025-26 campaign and has only played in 52 games. He has averaged 21.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.9 assists while shooting 51.3% from the floor.
As the gold and purple enter the final stretch of the season with fewer than 10 games left, the debate remains: Can two of the greatest playmakers overcome Moss’ pretender label before the playoffs begin on April 18?
