The NBA Spotlight Shifts: LA Lakers’ Resurgence Forces the League to Confront a Powerhouse That Can No Longer Be Ignored

The Los Angeles Lakers have always been a franchise that commands attention. From Magic Johnson’s Showtime era to Kobe Bryant’s relentless pursuit of greatness, to LeBron James’ late-career dominance, the purple and gold rarely fade from the spotlight. Yet as the 2025–26 season unfolds, the Lakers present a paradox: they are winning at a high level, sitting at 17–5, but questions linger about their sustainability, their defensive flaws, and their evolving hierarchy.

This is not the same Lakers team we watched a year ago. It is deeper, more versatile, and more unpredictable. But it is also inconsistent, prone to blowout losses, and reliant on clutch-time heroics. The NBA still has a Lakers problem—because nobody can quite figure out how good they really are.

LeBron James: Washed or Reborn?

The season began with uncertainty. LeBron James, now 40, missed the opening stretch with a sciatica injury. When he returned, he looked mortal. Over his first six games, he averaged just 14 points per game on 46 percent effective field goal shooting, hitting only 26 percent from deep.

The playmaking was still elite—7.8 assists per game with just 1.8 turnovers—but the scoring wasn’t there. Against Phoenix, he managed just 10 points on 3-of-10 shooting. Against Toronto, he shot 4-of-17, though he dished 11 assists without a turnover. For the first time, it seemed Father Time had caught up.

Then came Philadelphia. LeBron erupted for 29 points, seven rebounds, and six assists on 12-of-17 shooting, including 4-of-6 from deep. In the fourth quarter, he took over, burying jumpers, orchestrating pick-and-rolls with Luka Dončić and DeAndre Ayton, and delivering dagger shots. The narrative shifted instantly. LeBron wasn’t done. He was back.

Luka Dončić: The First-Quarter Conundrum

While LeBron’s resurgence grabbed headlines, Luka Dončić continued to dominate. His comfort zone has always been the opening quarter, where he tests defenses with aggressive shot-taking. Against Phoenix, he exploded for 20 points in the first frame. Yet the Lakers lost 125–108.

The problem? Luka’s hyper-aggressive starts often disengage role players. Rui Hachimura, for example, played 23 minutes in that game and attempted just one shot. Afterward, he admitted the team needed to “trust each other more.”

Without Luka, the offense looks different. Against Toronto, Hachimura hit the game-winning three, exactly the kind of moment he had been craving. The lesson was clear: the Lakers need balance. Luka’s brilliance is undeniable, but the team thrives when others are involved early.

Austin Reaves: From Role Player to Star

No player has benefited more from Luka’s occasional absence than Austin Reaves. When Luka sits, Reaves transforms into a superstar. He has averaged 40 points, 9.6 assists, and 4.8 rebounds on 50/40/90 shooting in those games.

Against Toronto, he scored 44 points with 10 assists. Against Boston, he struggled early but finished with 36 points and eight assists. Even in Philadelphia, despite a poor shooting night, his impact was felt.

Reaves is no longer a fluke. He is a legitimate star, and the Lakers must find ways to integrate him more consistently.

The Pecking Order Problem

The Lakers’ hierarchy is complicated. Luka is the primary ball-handler, LeBron is the veteran closer, and Reaves is the emerging star. But role players like Hachimura, Ayton, and Gabe Vincent need touches too.

When Luka dominates early, others fade. When Reaves takes over, Luka sometimes drifts. When LeBron is passive, the offense stagnates. The challenge is finding balance—a pecking order that maximizes everyone’s strengths without sacrificing chemistry.

Clutch-Time Kings

Despite these issues, the Lakers have been unbeatable in clutch situations. They are 8–0 in games defined as clutch (within five points in the final five minutes). Their clutch defense is the best in the league, allowing just 85.7 points per 100 possessions.

This is remarkable given their overall defensive rating ranks just 20th. Somehow, they lock in when it matters most. Luka, LeBron, and Reaves form a trio that is nearly impossible to defend. Double one, and the others exploit the advantage.

But the reliance on late-game heroics is a double-edged sword. It means too many games are close. And when they lose, they lose big.

Overachievers?

According to Cleaning the Glass, the Lakers rank first in win differential at +3.9, meaning they have won nearly four more games than expected based on efficiency metrics. In other words, they are overachieving.

This raises a critical question: is their success sustainable? Overachievement rarely lasts. Defensive lapses, poor rebounding, and inconsistent effort could catch up.

Marcus Smart and Defensive Fixes

Help may be on the way. Marcus Smart is expected to return soon, and his defensive intensity could stabilize the starting lineup. But even with Smart, the Lakers may need more.

Trade rumors swirl around Andrew Wiggins and Herb Jones. Wiggins offers championship experience and two-way ability but comes with a hefty contract. Jones, meanwhile, is an elite wing defender who could be attainable given the Pelicans’ need for draft capital.

Adding Jones would allow Hachimura to slide into a sixth-man role, boosting bench scoring while addressing defensive shortcomings.

Ceiling vs. Floor

The Lakers’ paradox is clear. Their ceiling is championship-level. Their floor is mediocrity.

At times, they look average—losing shooters, giving up offensive boards, jogging back on defense. At other times, they flip a switch and look unstoppable.

The inconsistency is frustrating, but the highs are becoming more frequent and more sustainable. LeBron has proven he still has gas in the tank. Luka continues to dominate. Reaves is blossoming.

And if this is how good they look before the defense clicks, before Smart returns, and before potential trades, then the Lakers may not even be peaking yet.

Conclusion: The NBA’s Biggest Puzzle

The Lakers are 17–5, second in the West, undefeated in clutch games, and led by a trio of stars who complement each other in surprising ways. Yet they remain flawed, inconsistent, and reliant on overachievement.

Are they peaking now, or do they have another gear? Can their defense improve enough to sustain success? Will trades reshape the roster?

The answers will define the season. For now, the Lakers are both a contender and a question mark—the NBA’s biggest puzzle, and perhaps its most dangerous team.