The Los Angeles Lakers have completed their first 10 games of the 2026-27 NBA season. Along the way, JJ Redick and company have shown signs of promise as a potential contender, as well as flaws that could prevent them from realizing their potential.
Through an optimistic lens, however, there are three overreactions that reside between overly ambitious and realistically hopeful.
Los Angeles has plenty to smile about with a record of 8-2 through its first 10 games. It's shown flashes of brilliance on both ends of the floor, with the stars showing out and the supporting cast proving up to the task of rounding a promising rotation into form.
That's ultimately resulted in certain players and even the team at large looking better than anticipated. What might end up lasting?
3. Matisse Thybulle has figured out the 3 in 3-and-D
One of the signature shots that the Lakers have come to rely on is Matisse Thybulle's no-dip three. The 29-year-old hasn't scored with explosive volume, but he's been spacing the floor at an elite level and proving that his tremendous defense has an offensive complement after all.
There was hope that Thybulle had fixed his jumper after two efficient seasons between 2024-25 and 2025-26, but considering he played 45 total games during that time, the jury was still out.
Thankfully, it's lasted into the early stages of 2026-27. Thybulle is currently shooting 41.9 percent from beyond the arc while burying 1.8 threes per game. That's made his defensive impact all the more significant, as teams can no longer leave him open in the way they were able to during his time with the Philadelphia 76ers.
That's allowed Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler to operate with optimal spacing, all the while strengthening the Lakers' defense due to their ability to play Thybulle without the fear of an offensive compromise.
The overreaction: Thybulle's jumper is real and the Lakers have a true starting-caliber 3-and-D wing. The hope: He at least manages a moderate level of efficiency.
2. Luka Doncic is about to have the best season of his career
If the first 10 games are a sign of things to come, then Luka Doncic is about to make history and turn in the best season of his already illustrious career. It's certainly a high bar, as Doncic is a six-time All-NBA honoree and two-time scoring champion.
All it takes is one look at Doncic's statistics, however, to realize just how special his start to the season has been: 40.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.7 blocks, and 5.8 three-point field goals made per game on .498/.419/.873 shooting.
Doncic will likely experience some kind of a dip in some of those areas, particularly the 5.8 threes he's making per contest. What he's showing, however, is that he's not only in the best shape of his career, but finally starting strong instead of working his way into peak form as the season progresses.
That's not only translated to a generational start on the offensive end of the floor, but a high-effort campaign on defense, as well. That's resulted in perhaps the most ambitious overreaction of all: Doncic is going to have the best season of his career in 2026-27.
If that proves to be the case, then Doncic and the Lakers will be true contenders after all.
1. The Lakers don't need other teams' injuries to be true contenders
Cruel as it may be, the Lakers are benefitting from the fact that teams such as the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder have endured injuries early in 2026-27. That's led many to believe that the Lakers are slotting into the role of a true contender with some of their competition hurt.
What the Lakers have shown through 10 games, however, is that injuries aren't the reason that they're contenders. Los Angeles deserves that label based on its own merit.
Doncic has been exceptional, yes, but he isn't alone in making the Lakers a great team early in the year. Thus far, Los Angeles ranks No. 1 in the NBA in offensive rating and No. 7 in net rating. Their defense certainly has room for improvement, but they also have the personnel to make those improvements.
Walker Kessler is a true interior anchor, Thybulle is one of several athletic and committed wing defenders, and players such as Cameron Carr and Adou Thiero should improve as the season progresses. Furthermore, Los Angeles finally has offensive firepower off the bench.
Compounded by the fact that Doncic is a world-class player working in a system that perfectly suits his game, the No. 1 overreaction on this list is that the Lakers would still be contenders in a healthy NBA.
Add us as a preferred source on Google