Fifteen games into the 2025-26 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers have shocked fans and done something unthinkable: they’ve thrived with LeBron James playing just one game so far.
They were expected by many to sit in the middle of the Western Conference standings; however, the Lakers instead find themselves in fourth place thanks to elite guard play, an improved defensive structure, and a new team identity that has formed faster than anyone could have imagined.
The biggest question now is whether this place can remain sustainable once the season gets tougher, or now that LeBron has returned.
Luka Doncic 2.0 Could Be An MVP Contender
Any explanation for the Lakers’ early surge has to begin with one major theme, and that is “a historic season-opening heater”, fueled by the improved conditioning, sharper decision-making, and a balanced offensive approach by none other than Luka Doncic himself.
Doncic ranks near the top of the league in categories such as true shooting percentage, points created per game via assist, and points scored on drives to the basket, all while limiting his turnover totals.
He’s not just scoring at a high clip, but he’s orchestrating the team as a whole. Doncic has elevated the play of his teammates, stabilized lineups, and turned Los Angeles into one of the NBA’s most efficient half-court offenses.
And to think, he’s done almost all of it without LeBron beside him. This is a reality that many believed would, unfortunately, expose the roster early. Instead, however, it’s just revealed how high the Lakers’ ceiling really is.
A New Identity Without LeBron
According to NGSC Sports, JJ Redick spent the offseason preparing for stretches without LeBron as opposed to ignoring the possibility of them, and it has paid off. Redick’s system now revolves around things like motion principles, pace variations, and higher defensive commitment, rather than promoting an isolation-heavy offense like they did in previous years.
The result? A team that looks competitive, connected, and calm under pressure.
Role players like Rui Hachimura and Marcus Smart have embraced their expanded roles. And a player like Austin Reaves has developed into a great No. 2 option behind Luka. Without LeBron dominating possessions, the offense has evolved into a more read-and-react structure.
Redick summed this sentiment up best when he told reporters that the success stems from “trusting our structure instead of the moment.”
Through 14 games, that structure worked. Now, with LeBron back, the Lakers will try to maintain that momentum.
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Austin Reaves Has Taken a Leap in Play
While Doncic is flying the plane, Austin Reaves has been the steady force that has kept them afloat when Luka leaves the floor. According to The Sporting News, the Lakers plan to extend that grace towards a new contract for Reaves for the long term for the post-LeBron era.
Reaves’ off-ball scoring, defensive energy, and improved playmaking have turned him into the No. 2 option that championship-level teams need. Reaves has matched the production of guys like Jalen Williams or Derrick White. His chemistry with Doncic on the floor has been one of the most promising developments of the season.
Through the first 15 games, he has played like someone who has earned the responsibility of being that Finals-level Robin.
Proof That They Are More Than Just a Hot Start
The support from the role players is being primarily powered by Deandre Ayton’s and Marcus Smart’s defensive attrition. The bench players have added energy as well, with guys like Dalton Knecht and Jake LaRavia giving them a much-needed boost.
Even typically cautious outlets like “Yardbarker” admit that Los Angeles “looks far more complete than anyone expected.”
The combination of star-level creation, defensive organization, and unexpected depth has led the Lakers into early contender conversations.
Will It Be Sustained?
Sustainability will hinge on two separate factors:
- Health: Doncic and Reaves must remain consistently available.
- Reintegration: How will reinserting LeBron James affect the system that appears to be running smoothly?
But through the team’s first 14 games, the Lakers did more than exceeded expectations as they have established an identity that is good enough to win right now. With the Lakers securing a win in LeBron’s return, they’re off to a good start now that the King is back.
If this version of Doncic and Reaves holds, then the Lakers may be far more dangerous than anyone would have predicted before the year.
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