Los Angeles Lakers are closing out the NBA regular season strong, thanks in large part to the addition of Luka Doncic—who has provided the spark they needed to elevate their play. With Doncic commanding the ball and drawing defensive attention, LeBron James is getting much-needed rest, while Austin Reaves has enjoyed more offensive freedom.
After Friday’s 122–109 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, LeBron spoke candidly about how he’s feeling physically as the postseason looms.
“That was the best I felt before the injury for sure,” James said postgame, per Lakers Nation. “I just tried to press, get downhill, my rhythm—as far as my jump shot—felt pretty good today. I was shooting from the free throw line extremely well. I’m a bit late, but it’s probably the best physically I’ve felt. So hopefully, I can build off of that.”
At 40 years old, LeBron is well aware of how limited his championship window may be. With Doncic now in the fold, this postseason might represent one of his final shots at adding a fifth NBA title to his storied résumé. Managing his workload will be crucial, and Doncic’s presence, along with the steady rise of Reaves, may allow James to conserve energy for the high-stakes moments ahead.
Lakers stars LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
LeBron’s numbers this season
In 66 games this year, James is averaging 24.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game while shooting 51.2% from the field. His consistency has been the foundation of the Lakers’ identity since his arrival, and now, all eyes are on how far this group can go with a reloaded roster.
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Can Luka Doncic be trusted in high-stakes defense?
While Doncic’s offensive brilliance is undeniable, his defense continues to be a concern—especially under NBA playoff scrutiny. One glaring example came in a recent matchup against the Golden State Warriors, where Stephen Curry repeatedly targeted Doncic on switches to exploit mismatches and get high-percentage looks.
Even Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade acknowledged the issue on his podcast, The Why: “We all know that Luka is amazing with the basketball. He’s magical,” Wade said. “But we also know he has some liabilities on the defensive end of the floor. Everyone knows this.”
Wade also pointed to head coach JJ Redick’s responsibility to address the issue: “JJ and his staff have to teach Luka how to be a better defender. And this doesn’t mean he has to be a lockdown [guy],” he explained. “It just means he has to be reliable.”
