The Los Angeles Lakers have locked up the third seed in the Western Conference, avoiding the play-in tournament for the first time since their 2020 championship season. This crucial achievement gives the team extra time to rest and prepare for the first round, with their opponent to be revealed on Sunday.
One more in the regular season
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 13, 2025
🕢: 12:30 PM PT
📺: @SpectrumSN
📱: Spectrum SportsNet+
📻: ESPN LA 710/1330 KWKW pic.twitter.com/LnJE965XOt
The Lakers finished the regular season with a 50-31 record. First-year head coach JJ Redick praised the squad for reaching 50 wins in a stacked Western Conference, calling it a product of “collective effort” and a growing winning culture.
“Each one at different points in time has contributed to winning,” Redick said, according to Inquirer. “They’ve all participated in a winning culture.”
L.A. ended its campaign with a commanding 140-109 win over the Houston Rockets, led by Luka Doncic’s 39-point burst in just three quarters. Both Doncic and LeBron James made it clear: their eyes are on a championship.
Doncic said the team has the talent to go all the way:
“It’s gonna be hard to stop us, but it’s not just me and LeBron,” Doncic said, according to Lakers Nation. “We have a great team around us, everybody helps us in so many ways. So if we wanna win the championship, it’s gonna take all of us.”
The break now gives 40-year-old LeBron, in his 22nd NBA season, and the newly acquired Doncic a much-needed window to recover and refocus.
NO PLAY-IN AND 8 DAYS OF REST pic.twitter.com/ZvqbQLxRFz
— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) April 12, 2025
With a wild regular season behind them, the Lakers brace for a tough first-round test – likely against the Timberwolves or Warriors.
LeBron’s defense could be the Lakers’ playoff weak spot
The Lakers enter the playoffs with big expectations, but there’s one glaring concern. Opponents may target LeBron James on defense, especially in pick-and-rolls.
An NBA scout, via ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, pointed out that James’ defensive effort, particularly against players like Luka Doncic, could become a liability.
“The thing with LeBron is he’s not going to foul; you can score on him with the right matchup,” Windhorst said, according to Yardbarker. “With the right personnel he could be exposed on defense in the playoffs. He’s amazing, taking nothing from him, but it’s a worry.”
The issue? James seems to be conserving energy for offense. That may lead to defensive lapses, especially in the high-stakes, high-speed pace of playoff basketball.
An anonymous scout says LeBron could be ‘exposed’ on defense in the playoffs
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 12, 2025
“The thing with LeBron is he's not going to foul; you can score on him with the right matchup. With the right personnel he could be exposed on defense in the playoffs. He's amazing, taking nothing from… pic.twitter.com/ZnjgNLnu5p
While King James’ regular-season stats – 1 steal and 0.6 blocks per game – show he can still make plays.
Another concern is James’ tendency to avoid fouls. That could allow opponents to hunt him in mismatches, knowing he’s less likely to risk physical contact.
The arrival of Luka Doncic may help lighten James’ offensive load, which could free him to focus more on defense. But whether that shift will actually happen remains uncertain.
Ultimately, the Lakers’ title hopes hinge on how well they patch this potential hole.
READ: LeBron’s 25-Point Streak Ends, but Lakers Surge into Playoffs Behind Rookie Coach and Doncic Boost
I am a writer passionate about telling the stories behind the game of basketball. From the culture and personalities shaping the sport to the moments that define it, I explore basketball beyond the box score.
