The Lakers secured a 50-win season on Friday night after their lopsided win over the short-handed Houston Rockets. The win secured them the third seed of the Western Conference.
The Lakers have seen quite the turnaround this season after the acquisition of Luka Dončić. Now sitting at 50-31 with just one game left in the regular season, the Lakers are preparing for their biggest test yet: the playoffs. With Dončić and LeBron James leading the way, the Lakers could be a serious threat in the postseason.
For James, currently in his 22nd year in the league, this could be his shot at a fifth NBA championship. While there are still some concerns about the Lakers’ defense, they’ve got enough offensive firepower to do damage in the playoffs.
Austin Reaves Speaks on His Relationship With LeBron James
Aside from Dončić and James, the real story here is the rise of Austin Reaves. Reaves has become one of the better third options in the league, finding his groove over the last 30 games of the season.
He averaged 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists this year — strong numbers for a third option. His breakout couldn’t have come at a better time for L.A., and a big part of his success comes from his bond with LeBron James.
Austin Reaves shows love to LeBron 💜💛
“The joy he brings to the team. He’s never in a bad mood. He welcomed me when I was on a two-way contract and treat me the same. I owe him a lot for what he's helped me accomplish.”
(via @LoJoMedia)
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) April 12, 2025
“The joy he brings to the team. He’s never in a bad mood. He welcomed me when I was on a two-way contract and treat me the same. I owe him a lot for what he’s helped me accomplish.”
The Lakers seem to have something special with Reaves, and his relationship with James looks like a big piece of the team’s recent momentum after trading for Dončić.
Are the Lakers on a Collision Course With the Warriors?
The Lakers will host the sixth seed in the first round of the playoffs — and it’s starting to look like that could be the Warriors. That would give us a first-round clash between Steph Curry and LeBron James, their first-ever meeting that early in the postseason.
The last time they faced off was in the 2023 Western Conference semifinals. The Lakers took that series in six games, but both rosters look different now. The Warriors have added Jimmy Butler alongside Curry, forming a new duo that will be tough for any team — including the Lakers — to handle.
Lakers vs. Warriors games are usually must-watch, so this would be a fun series if it happens. Whoever comes out victorious in this potential series will undoubtedly be a team to watch out for in the Western Conference.