For the majority of the 2025-26 season, the Los Angeles Lakers were searching for a sense of togetherness. LA struggled to have everyone buy into their roles early on, and it sank them; they simply weren't a contender. Since March has begun, they have completely flipped the script on that narrative, and it's unlocking something scary for LA.
During Thursday night's 134-126 win against the Miami Heat, Luka Doncic and LeBron James made history as the first duo since Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor in 1969 to score 60 points while the other player records a triple-double.
To have a 41-year-old LeBron still be able to turn the clock back and give a team 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists, and then, an MVP candidate (Luka), record his eighth straight game of 30 or more points with a 60-point game, is unreal. The tandem just made history that hasn't been touched in 57 years.
If that doesn't convince you that this Lakers team is a real contender, the fact that everyone else has fully bought in should. The entire Lakers roster has found their specific lanes, and it's starting to turn JJ Redick's team into an absolute juggernaut as the playoffs approach.
Top to bottom Los Angeles is clearly figuring things out
Los Angeles has won 11 of their last 12 games and is riding a eight-game win streak. While Luka and LeBron have been great during this stretch, they aren't the whole reason for this tear.
Austin Reaves has done a great job stepping back from his usual scoring output of around 24 points per game and letting Luka do his thing, while he focuses more on defense. Marcus Smart has had the hardest job as a 6-foot-3 guard playing a forward spot and guarding the opposing team's best perimeter scorer, no matter the size advantage.
His presence has been unmatched, whether it's his communication or the way he puts his body on the line. He's been a massive part of this hot March for LA.
The fifth starter, Deandre Ayton, has found second life, taking accountability for his lackluster energy and engagement and really buying in to a lesser, dirty-work big role. He even went so far as to say he had to realize he wasn't that guy. It was time for an attitude change and it has yielded good results.
Off the bench, everyone has locked in on doing whatever the team needs on any given night. Sometimes it's Luke Kennard knocking down a couple of 3s when LA's struggling to score. Other times, it's Jake LaRavia diving and flying around defensively as he did against Houston in part two of that back-to-back.
On top of those two, the Lakers have been getting high-energy minutes from Jaxson Hayes, finishing plays and blocking shots, and Rui Hachimura being the ultimate plug-and-play scorer.
The turnaround for the purple and gold starts at the top with Redick, Luka, and LeBron before working its way down through the entire starting lineup and second unit. For a while, the Lakers were a rusted-out old Honda. Now, they are a well-oiled Lamborghini with the playoffs approaching.