There is nothing like a good old playoff atmosphere where two teams are battling down to the wire for a crucial notch in the win column. The Los Angeles Lakers have played in plenty of those competitive environments during 2025-26, and when they have, the victories have racked up consistently.
The Lakers are a perfect 8-0 in games defined by the NBA as clutch. What does that mean, exactly?
"Clutch time is defined as the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime when the score is within five points," Brian Martin of NBA.com wrote.
Those heated showdowns have featured the Lakers winning over and over again. They are the only team in the NBA who has yet to lose in those instances, with all other franchises boasting at least one loss. That type of success should bode well for their playoff chances when the postseason arrives.
Lakers are already thriving in playoff-like setting during this season
Looking at the success that Los Angeles has enjoyed in those close games really is a glass half full type of approach. Say what you will, but when these matchups require mental focus down the stretch, the Lakers have it.
Los Angeles has posted a net rating of 26.8 in clutch games this season. Notably, a team that struggles defensively on the whole suddenly locks up with the game on the line.
The Lakers have been the best team at guarding in the clutch, with a defensive rating of 85.7. The second closest team in that category would be the Oklahoma City Thunder, with a mark of 95.3.
That is an encouraging mark considering the conventional wisdom would have one believing the offensive end is where they would really kick things into gear with all-world talents like Luka Doncic in the mix.
The Lakers have been above average on the attack, but only marginally so. Their offensive rating ranks 12th in the clutch, with the team posting 112.5.
A lot of the people who have written off the Lakers as true contenders due to the overall net rating of the team thus far in 2025-26. Los Angeles places 14th currently, with an unimpressive mark of 2.0.
The natural counter to that discussion is this one.
Sure, the Lakers may have their faults as a team overall. However, when it matters most, they deliver. There is encouragement to be found in that as the season marches onward.