As things stand, the Los Angeles Lakers are tied for the most games played to start the new calendar year in the NBA. They have made the most of that busy schedule. The Lakers currently possess the best record in the league at 10-2 to begin 2026-27.
There is a healthy opportunity in front of Los Angeles to really catapult themselves into an even better position. The next six games on the schedule give them a real opportunity to take their current six-game winning streak and turn it into a truly impressive 12-game run. The upcoming opponents are quite favorable for the Lakers.
The next six matchups are: Nov. 11 at the Milwaukee Bucks, Nov. 15 at the Phoenix Suns, Nov. 17 versus the Charlotte Hornets, Nov. 18 versus the Utah Jazz, Nov. 20 versus the Sacramento Kings, and Nov. 23 versus the Utah Jazz. That is a very manageable stretch.
Besides for the fact they will already be playing their fourth back-to-back of the season in that part of the schedule, the Lakers should have six very winnable games in front of them. That can take their current winning streak and push it to 12 in a best-case scenario. It can set them up with an impressive 16-2 start, too.
All of that can give Rob Pelinka the incentive needed to really believe in the value of an all-in push this season.
Lakers stacking up the wins would invite real title hopes for this season
2026 was an all-in summer on fully pivoting to the Luka Doncic timeline in Los Angeles. The goal has never been confusing for anyone. Everyone within the franchise wants to see the Lakers raise another banner into the rafters while employing arguably the best player in the world.
Pelinka should be near the top of the list when it comes to individuals who really want to see that happen. With an incoming ownership change, there is pressure to make a strong impression. What better way is there to do that than by winning it all?
So far, the team assembled in the summer is doing their part to flirt with contender status. Continuing to build on that success in this manageable stretch would show the Lakers have the key trait of knocking off the teams they are supposed to. 16-2 would also just be pretty darn good to look at.
There would be an open invitation to truly consider how to maximize this group even further. For all the early success, the Lakers still have obvious flaws like the backup center spot.
Those are the types of things that would need to get patched up to reach that next level. It truly does not feel like the Lakers are too far off amid this strong surge to start. Piling on even more Ws would challenge Pelinka to truly explore how to make the most of this specific season as a title year.
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