Less than a month ago, the Los Angeles Lakers weren't considered a true threat — not even close. So much has changed since then that it's almost hard to believe if we hadn't watched it with our own two eyes. As Marc Stein said on the ALL NBA Podcast, they've turned into a team you certainly don't want to meet in the postseason.
"I think the Lakers, by virtue of this run they're on, have forced their way into that group that you have to say, I don't think anybody's going to want to see these guys in the playoffs. The way Luka is going right now, the way LeBron James seems to be embracing the most supplementary role of his career, they are not going to be a fun team to play."
Since February 28, Los Angeles is 12-1, with its only loss coming against a Denver squad that it has beaten since then.
That 127-125 overtime win against the Nuggets on March 14 was extra special, from LeBron soaring through the air to get a loose ball at the age of 41, to Austin Reaves' perfectly executed missed free throw, to Luka Dončić's first game-winning shot as a Laker. It had a little bit of everything.
Lakers are peaking at the best possible time
Dončić has reminded the doubters who he is, as he's averaging a casual 36 points and 7.5 assists over the past 13 games, shooting 49.4% from the field and 39.8% from three on 12.8 attempts per game. Read that again. Chances are that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will repeat as MVP, but Luka has elevated himself into that conversation.
Reaves is averaging 20.8 points per game since the end of February, while LeBron is averaging 19.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 6.2 assists. He has fully embraced being the No. 3 option and operating more off the ball, averaging 12.9 shots per game (down from 16.3 attempts before then).
It's not just those three, as Deandre Ayton finally understood what the Lakers need from him. He's DominAyton as a role player. Marcus Smart has shown he can still be a lockdown defender (ask Anthony Edwards), and his grit and leadership have been just as important. You even have Luke Kennard knocking down big shots.
A team that struggled to find consistency on both ends of the floor has done that over the past few weeks, with a No. 3 offense in the league and No. 8 defense.
No one should've been rooting to see Luka, Reaves, and LeBron in the postseason as is, but now, the pieces have fallen into place for the Lakers.
The script has flipped for Los Angeles, as it sits No. 3 in the conference with a 2.5-game lead over No. 4 Houston, a team it beat twice in the past week. Its streak should continue, as the Lakers will play the Pistons (without Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart), the Pacers, the Nets, and the Wizards. Three of those teams are actively trying to lose.
They still have 11 regular-season games left to play, but it seems they could lock down the third seed, which would be massive given their outlook a few short months ago. You can bet that the teams below LA will actively try to avoid the No. 6 seed if possible because they know what it'd mean — a first-round clash against one of the hottest teams (arguably the hottest) in the league.