The Lakers are facing some injury challenges right now.
They’ve been struggling, missing their top two scorers, and it’s clear that they’re feeling vulnerable as they approach the end of the regular season.
And it seems like teams around the Western Conference can sense this weakness.
When Lakers coach J.J. Redick mentioned, “Everyone wants to play with us,” he wasn’t trying to sound tough; he was just pointing out what’s obvious to everyone watching. Not too long ago, the Lakers were climbing in the standings, but it feels like they’re now more exposed than ever.
“Let’s be honest: everybody does want to play against us,” Reddick elaborated on Friday. “Some teams are probably already looking ahead to a potential second-round matchup. You can see those teams resting their starters. But we can’t focus on that.”
A few weeks back, the Lakers were a team that seemed tough to face in the West. With Luka Doncic playing at a high level alongside Austin Reaves, they were in sync and had various ways to secure a win. They didn’t just win; they controlled the game.
Then, things took a turn.
Doncic sustained a Grade 2 hamstring tear, and Reaves suffered a Grade 2 oblique tear during a loss against Oklahoma City, removing nearly 60 points per game from their lineup.
Now, they’re looking to 41-year-old LeBron James to be the catalyst, trying to lead the team deep into the playoffs.
To his credit, James has played well in the last couple of games, but he’s just one player, and that’s not enough as the playoffs approach.
Especially in a competitive Western Conference, where the Thunder and Spurs are standing out. In fact, several teams have hinted at resting their starters, including Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray of the Nuggets.
Across the league, other teams are noticing the Lakers’ issues. They’re missing their key players, which forces others to step outside their comfort zones. It’s becoming a challenge to find “nine players who can go all in.”
Look at Luke Kennard, for instance. He’s been primarily a three-point shooter off the bench for most of his career. Now, he’s stepping up to be one of the main ball handlers.
When asked about Redick’s comments and if they could inspire the team, Kennard acknowledged, “You can see why teams want to face us; we’re giving up a lot of points. But we’ve got James—and how he plays and leads us. We need him to keep this up.”
James certainly can’t do it all himself, but I guess there’s something a little risky about counting out a team that still has a player of his caliber.
Despite their limitations, the Lakers have managed to win two straight games against teams battling for play-in tournament spots. It’s not a strong pulse, but it shows some fight and ability to rise to challenges.
“At the start of the season, none of you expected us to be in the top four. Most thought we’d just be a play-in team,” Reddick commented, reflecting on the Lakers’ preseason outlook. “We dealt with the pressures of being the Lakers and the negativity with each loss. I think our group has managed that pretty well.”
They’ve secured a top-four seed and home-court advantage with their recent win over the Suns. If they beat the Jazz in their final regular season game and the Nuggets lose to the Spurs, they’ll place third and face the Timberwolves again in the playoffs. If not, they’ll host the Rockets in round one.
No matter who they end up up against, the Lakers will be underdogs without Doncic and Reaves. Both opposing teams will likely intensify their defense on James, pushing the other players to step up significantly. So far, there hasn’t been enough to show they can handle this pressure.
This is the current scenario for the Lakers in Los Angeles. They’re vulnerable—competent but compromised. Winning a playoff series without their two stars will require them to exceed expectations.
And yes, everyone seems eager to face them, and honestly, it’s hard to blame them.
