While the Los Angeles Lakers have several big decisions to make this upcoming off-season, they’re currently focused on securing home court advantage for their first found series in the NBA playoffs.
Their fight has become even harder thanks to significant injuries to key players Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. A notable NBA analyst explained why he believes the injuries have destroyed the Lakers’ playoff chances.
NBA Analyst Believes Lakers Have No Shot To Win The NBA Championship
Former NBA player and current analyst Channing Frye believes the Lakers are destined for a quick playoff exit.
Discussing the Lakers on “The Road Trippin Show,” Frye said, “They’ve gotta pray, that like, something happens for some other team, they have chemistry issues or something, and even then, it’s just like, what happens? If LeBron goes all out in the first round, you are beyond cooked in the second round. The Lakers don’t have a chance in hell.”
At 51-29, the Lakers are currently tied with the Houston Rockets for the fourth seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Dončić had another stellar regular season, but his status for the playoffs is uncertain, as he’s currently dealing with a significant left hamstring strain. Reaves is having a breakout season, but is now expected to miss at least four weeks due to a significant oblique injury.
Lakers Legend Robert Horry & Chef Danny vs the Three Ingredient Challenge @bibigousa x #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/8cX6KkI9Xv
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 10, 2026
As a result, LeBron James has now become the Lakers’ primary playmaker and first option again at age 41. While James has been up to the challenge so far, scoring over 25 points in his last two contests with near triple-doubles, as Frye points out, this is not an ideal situation for the team. Father Time has won the battle against James this season in terms of his being able to play at an All-NBA level every night.
While every game is now important for the rest of the season, the Lakers likely want to avoid rushing back Dončić and Reaves, as that could lead to re- aggravating their injuries.
Center Deandre Ayton, who has openly talked about wanting a bigger role, now has the opportunity he’s been asking for. Veteran Rui Hachimura is a player who’ll take on a larger role with the team’s playmaking guards out of action.
The Lakers may be able to secure home court in the first round, as their final two games of the regular season are against the Phoenix Suns, who are locked into their Play-In Tournament spot, and the Utah Jazz, who are tanking. Ultimately, Frye believes it doesn’t matter in the end because their season is probably over soon.
