The Los Angeles Lakers have been in top form lately, surging to second place in the Western Conference. Their defense has become one of the league’s best, and Luka Dončić has lived up to expectations since arriving in the Anthony Davis trade in early February.
Despite Luka still settling into the team and the defensive resurgence being relatively new, head coach JJ Redick has done an impressive job navigating these changes. However, one constant presence since the start of the season has been LeBron James.
Even in his 22nd season, LeBron continues to perform at an elite level. Alongside his new teammate Luka and Nikola Jokić, he is one of the only players averaging at least 20 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists per game this season.
LeBron is a crucial part of the Lakers’ success, but after sustaining a groin strain in Saturday’s loss to the Celtics, he is expected to miss at least one to two weeks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The Lakers are also without Rui Hachimura, who is recovering from a knee injury and could return in about a week.
Losing a superstar like LeBron is never ideal, but the Lakers must adapt if they want to remain in contention for their 18th championship. Without him, players—especially Luka—will need to step up. However, there are ways this setback could actually benefit the team.
Luka Can Prove He’s Ready to Lead After LeBron Retires
The Lakers are contenders this season, but acquiring Luka also set them up for the future. While LeBron’s longevity is remarkable, he will eventually retire. When that time comes, Luka will take over as the franchise’s leader, and this is his opportunity to show he’s ready for that responsibility.
Luka has already proven he can carry a team, having led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals last season as a No. 5 seed. However, leading the Lakers—especially without LeBron—at a critical point in the season would be the ultimate test of his ability to handle the spotlight in Los Angeles.
Beyond Luka’s growth as a leader, LeBron’s absence gives Redick a chance to experiment with different lineup combinations that could still be useful once LeBron returns.
Barring an unexpected collapse, the Lakers will make the playoffs, making this a valuable opportunity for self-assessment before the postseason.
A Lower Seed Could Help the Lakers Avoid the Nuggets Until the Conference Finals
Some Lakers fans may scoff at this idea, especially after the team’s recent road win in Denver. However, that victory doesn’t erase the Nuggets’ dominance over the Lakers in recent years.
Denver has eliminated L.A. from the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, making them the one team the Lakers would likely prefer to avoid. Before LeBron’s injury, a second-round showdown between the two teams seemed inevitable with their expected 2-3 seeding. However, without LeBron, the standings could shift.
Despite their strong run, the Lakers have little cushion in the standings. They hold a narrow lead over the Nuggets for the No. 2 seed, while the Grizzlies and Rockets are also within striking distance. If L.A. drops to fourth or fifth, they would likely avoid Denver until the conference finals.
While the Grizzlies and Rockets are formidable, neither has much playoff experience, making them favorable first-round opponents. The Thunder, projected to finish as the No. 1 seed, would likely await in the second round, but Luka already knocked them out last year. Even though OKC would be favored, the Lakers wouldn’t be intimidated.
This scenario keeps the Nuggets out of L.A.’s path until the conference finals—unless Denver is upset beforehand by another contender like the Warriors or Timberwolves.
LeBron Finally Gets Some Rest Before the Playoffs
Just as people struggle to imagine their fathers aging, it’s hard to picture an NBA without LeBron dominating. However, even the greatest athletes eventually slow down.
LeBron is still producing at a high level, but injuries have become more frequent in recent years. The Lakers need him at full strength in the postseason, and missing time now could be a blessing in disguise.
Since February, he’s been averaging nearly 36 minutes per game, a workload that could have left him drained by playoff time. While he won’t be inactive during his recovery, he’ll avoid the nightly grind of competition, allowing his body to heal—especially from lingering foot soreness.
LeBron was instrumental in the Lakers’ 2020 championship run, which came after a nearly four-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The extended break gave him the rest he needed before leading L.A. to a title.
While the circumstances are different this time, a short break before the playoffs could once again work in the Lakers’ favor.
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