Around one month remains in the 2023-24 NBA regular season, and the Los Angeles Lakers are still in the hunt for a playoff berth. As they continue to earn wins over some of the best teams in the Western Conference, the Lakers are showing they will have a real chance to make a run should they make it to the postseason.
LA has looked like a much more formidable team over the last several weeks thanks to improved coaching decisions as well as standout performances from a few key players. As we examine which Lakers have had the most notable recent impact, a few players stand out, whether for positive or negative reasons.
These have been the biggest risers and fallers in Los Angeles as of late.
Riser: Anthony Davis
The Lakers' best player all season long, Anthony Davis has been putting in work for the Purple and Gold since October. But his talents have especially been shining as things have started getting down to the wire in the regular season.
AD enjoyed one of his best outings of the entire season the last time out against Minnesota. He terrorized a shorthanded Timberwolves frontcourt to the tune of 27 points and an incredible 25 rebounds, with three blocks to boot. His talents as a dominant low-post scorer, shot-blocker and rebounder were on full display.
The only teams he has had even an average performance against in the last month are Denver and Sacramento, both of which have been the Lakers' Achilles heel this year. Other than that, he has been consistently imposing his authority and willing LA to wins. His play will continue to be paramount for this team.