The Los Angeles Lakers are still jostling to secure a playoff position in the Western Conference. As the season enters its tail-end, the Lakers know that their job in the regular season is still not done.
The Oklahoma Thunder have secured the top seed in the conference, but the battle for home-court advantage seeds is still raging. The Lakers have been dealing with injury issues and will have a strict schedule.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ Road Ahead as the Battle for Playoffs Intensifies
Entering the season’s final stretch, the Lakers have one of the most demanding schedules. Of the remaining 9 games in the season, the Lakers play five on the road. They started their road trip on a sour note with a 106-118 loss against the Memphis Grizzlies, and things haven’t panned out well for them.
The Lakers are currently at No.4 with a record of 44-29 in the West. A recent stretch of injuries to LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Rui Hachimura, and Austin Reaves has destabilized the Lakers’ core. However, the franchise has failed to make its mark on either side of the court, too.
Though James has returned to the court, the Lakers have not been able to resolve their defensive issues and are on a four-game losing streak.
They are 19th in the league in scoring points, averaging 112.9 points, and 11th in the league in defense, with 112.2 points being scored against them on average. Despite an unimpressive record, the Lakers have managed to outshine their opponents, and J.J. Redick’s opponent-specific defensive game plans have led them to victory more often than not.
The best thing working in favor of the Lakers is the newfound partnership of Doncic and James. When healthy, the duo has the capacity to destroy any defense in the league.
Feb 19, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Luka Doncic (77) celebrate after a play during the third quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn ImagesWith James back in action, the Lakers must be all hands on deck in the season’s final stretch. To overcome the tough opponents they’re set to face, they’ll need Doncic’s creativity, Redick’s planning, and James’ mastery.
What Did the Loss Against the Bulls Do to the Lakers’ Playoff Picture?
The Lakers lost their game against Chicago despite the presence of their superstars.
Though still very much in the playoff race, the Lakers are currently stuck at No. 4 in the Western Conference.
Furthermore, they’re still in the thick of it as the Houston Rockets, the Nuggets, the Memphis Grizzlies, and the Golden State Warriors are fighting to secure the three positions left to get the home-court advantage.
If the season ended today, the Lakers would face off against the Grizzlies in the first round. It’s a mouth-watering series for any basketball fan, but the Lakers will want to face off against a lower-ranked team by potentially securing the No. 2 seed.
However, the mood within Los Angeles is not that of securing home court but to get a playoff spot. Fans and the franchise firmly believe in their ability and will not risk the health of their players for better seed positions.
The Lakers have the caliber to defeat any team in the West in a seven-game series. However, they won’t be pushovers.