The Los Angeles Lakers extended their winning streak to nine games in a fashion that has been all too familiar for them — taking their opponent down to the wire and showing off their brilliance in the clutch. Once, that was what was perceived to be propping up a mediocre team. Now, it is the greatest source of intimidation for all their competitors.
Luka Doncic and the Lakers have found a myriad of ways to beat their opponents in crunch-time situations during the 2025-26 season. A wide-open 3-pointer from Luke Kennard to steal a win in Orlando was just the latest example.
The Lakers have been this team all season long. In games defined by the NBA as clutch, Los Angeles boasts a record of 22-6. That comfortably clears the Oklahoma City Thunder (22-10) and the San Antonio Spurs (24-11) for top spot in the category.
Early critiques of the Lakers said these late-game heroics could only be had against subpar competition. That has evidently proven to be very untrue. Los Angeles boasts a ridiculous net rating of 27.8 in the clutch, including the best offensive rating (130.2) and a top-six defensive rating (102.4).
No NBA team will want to go down to the wire with the Lakers in the postseason
With only 11 games left in the Lakers' season, the NBA Playoffs are clearly in sight. With those do-or-die contests approaching, it would be hard to find many teams who should be thrilled about dueling it out in the clutch against the Lakers.
The Thunder and Spurs, whose success was brought up above, will take their chances. However, the other Western Conference playoff teams have not done nearly enough to truly feel comfortable.
78.6 is the winning percentage for the Lakers in clutch games this season. Apart from the top three seeds in the West (including LA), the Minnesota Timberwolves (16-13) are the only other team in a playoff or Play-In spot that has a record above .500 in those tight games.
"Now that the Lakers are solidifying their position in the West, ... their clutch play adds to what has become a much more dangerous-looking team heading into the playoffs," Alex Speers said during a recent episode of The Athletic's NBA Daily podcast.
Speers added that dating back to the 1996-97 season, where clutch-time data is limited to in its availability, many of the top teams had something in common: LeBron James. That much still shines through today. Even with James not at the peak of his powers, the calculated approach is unmissable.
As are the superstar efforts of Doncic. Of the players who have played in a minimum of 10 games in the clutch this season, Luka is among the very best in generating offense. The Lakers superstar is tied for first in assists per game, while also adding a healthy dosage of his own scoring.
Not many teams will feel good about facing those two elite decision-makers in those types of situations. Cling to the edges long enough, and the Lakers will push you off when the time comes.