Luka Dončić and the 2025-26 Los Angeles Lakers have battled the ups and downs of their first year together, but through all the adversity, they’re playoff-bound. Their 46-26 record didn’t come without some embarrassing losses, but their good habits are forming into Championship-level execution.
The NBA lined up a litany of tests down the stretch of their schedule, and the Lakers have knocked them down one by one. From the Houston Rockets, to the Denver Nuggets, and the Minnesota Timberwolves, none of the opposing contenders have been enough to stop the surging Lakers.
It’s a promising sign as one of the Nuggets, T-Wolves, and Rockets will likely be their adversaries in the opening round of the 2026 Playoffs.
Facing The Timberwolves
In three regular-season games, the Lakers are 3-0 against the Timberwolves, but of course, the playoffs will bring a different level of intensity.
Fortunately for second-year Head Coach JJ Redick, Luka already has a history with Edwards, and the record books favor the 27-year Slovenian as he defeated the Atlanta native in the 2024 Western Conference Finals.
Although Edwards and the Wolves eliminated the Lakers last spring, this is a more developed roster with a healthier Dončić. He’s leading the league in scoring, averaging over 33 points per game.
Luka’s aforementioned scoring ability will be a massive problem for the Wolves, who’ve been unable to contain him all season. He’s averaging an astronomical 40 PPG in two appearances against the Wolves this season, and the defensive gravity alone will be an issue for Chris Finch’s coaching staff.
It’ll be difficult to gameplan for Dončić, who’s made his teammates better during his first full season in L.A, most notably for his draft classmate Deandre Ayton. After months of ridicule, he’s applying more pressure on the offensive glass, something that was nonexistent for the Lakers against the Wolves last Spring.
Battle of the Bigs — Gobert vs. Ayton
Now, with the 7-foot-0, 252lb Bahamian in the post, fans will certainly enjoy a way more competitive series. Ayton will be the focal point of the interior, keeping Rudy Gobert from grabbing offensive rebounds to dissuade second-chance opportunities. Just putting a big body on the towering 7-foot-1 258lb Frenchman will allow more points in the post for Dončić and Reaves.
It’s a better game plan rather than relying on jump shots in fear of Minnesota’s star front court, including Julius Randle.
Depending on how the Wolves guard Ayton, he could contribute comfortably on offense. He has agility on his side, while Rudy will have the edge in brute strength. His speed will thrive in the pattened pick-and-roll with Luka, and once Deandre drops to the hole, he could either score or pass the rock to a shooter in the corner.
The battle of the bigs will be the difference maker, even though the Don vs Ant Man Part III will take center stage. History will repeat itself, just like their two previous meetings, as both superstars will lead their respective teams in scoring.
Because a series like this will be won in the margins, Laker fans must trust that their new starting big man will fulfill the purpose he was signed for.
Facing the Houston Rockets
Although getting revenge over the Timberwolves would be an excellent way to kick off their championship run, Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets could easily board a plane to L.A in April.
Ever since the former MVP joined the rising contenders, the Rockets have lived up to their high expectations. They’ve sustained their season with no legitimate facilitator after starting point guard Fred VanVleet suffered an ACL tear before the season even began.
Missing their veteran point guard has led to moments of disarray, and the Lakers took advantage of their lack of continuity in their recent meeting on March 16. The Lakers came out on top, defeating the Rockets 100-92, as Houston’s playmaking struggles were exacerbated by L.A’s defense, leading to seven turnovers by KD.
It was an excellent display of defensive communication by the Lakers and, to be quite frank, a much higher level of effort by the 17-time champions. Their signs of improvement are very encouraging as they prepare for a potential playoff matchup with Durant, defensive stalwart Amen Thompson, and franchise centerpiece Alperen Sengun.
Will Austin Reaves Step Up?
With three stars on each side, the Lakers and Rockets could easily go seven games in the opening round of the 2026 Playoffs, setting the table for a clash of the titans. If the stars align for another meeting between Durant and LeBron James, it will be their 15th time facing off in the playoffs.
This Spring could possibly be their final time competing against one another, and just like their previous battles, the supporting cast will truly decide the victor.
Starting with the Lakers, we’ve seen Luka Dončić decimate the Rockets, averaging 33.6 points per game against Houston this season, so it’s safe to say he’ll do his part to help Los Angeles advance.
Unfortunately for the Lakers’ faithful, the same can’t be said about rising star Austin Reaves. He was on pace to have a good game against Houston during their Christmas Day matchup, but he left the court during halftime and never returned after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 calf strain.
Reaves returned to the lineup with a vengeance, but he wasn’t able to redeem himself in their next game versus the Rockets. He missed all eight of his three-point shot attempts and ended the game shooting 5-of-18 overall.
Seeing Reaves struggle is an anomaly in itself, but fans have not forgotten his poor play in the Lakers’ five playoff games last year.
The bright lights of the playoff stage blinded him. He finished the series averaging 16.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists on a rough 41.1% from the field. It was his first playoff series as a solidified No. 3 option, and knowing the resilient Reaves, he’s determined to prove himself as a true co-star next to Dončić for when it matters the most.
Facing the Denver Nuggets
L.A.’s last feasible opponent will be Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, lining them up for a third meeting in four years. JJ Redick can expect Nikola Jokic to dominate as the 3x MVP always does.
Jokic is having another MVP-caliber season, averaging 28.6 PPG, 12.5 RPG, and 10.5 APG. It’s business as usual for the Joker, and the Lakers have gotten a taste of it after three meetings with the former champions
Although they have the upper hand on the season series 2-1, Jokic was only available for two of the three meetings. In those two games, they split the series 1-1, with Denver winning their second meeting earlier this season on March 5.
It was the loss to their conference rivals that was the catalyst for the Lakers’ success during the playoff push, as they rattled off nine consecutive wins following that game, including an overtime redemption victory, and now they’re peaking at the right time as a potential rematch looms this spring.
Stopping a Living Legend
Throughout the modern history of the Nuggets vs the Lakers, it’s been impossible for L.A. to ‘stop’ the Joker. He’s averaging 26.0 PPG, 14.0 RPG, and 13.5 APG against the Lakers this season. These numbers are amazing, but Jokic will take it to another level in their active pursuit of NBA gold.
He offers many challenges in the playoffs because he contributes to the game in multiple ways. It’s hard to make adjustments for someone who can take a different approach in all seven games if it goes that far.
Their best course of action is to hone in on the role players. Eliminating their shooters, Cam Johnson and Tim Hardaway Jr., will be massive for the Lakeshow. Both Nuggets have shined from beyond the arc, averaging 43.3% and 40.7% on the season, respectively.
Johnson and Hardway Jr. combine for over 25 points per game, and now that rising star Peyton Watson has returned from injury, he’ll add yet another surging wing to the equation. These three players have all taken a leap this season in their respective roles, and with Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray also averaging 25 PPG, there will be plenty of concerns for the Lakers outside of Jokic.
Making Nikola uncomfortable is the only way to disrupt the offense’s flow. Similar to their potential game plan for a series with the T-Wolves, they must use Deandre Ayton to minimize the impact of Denver’s generational talent.
It will force the role-players to create their own shots, but stopping Nikola Jokic is easier said than done. Luckily for Lakers fans, Dončić is one of the greatest playoff performers of all time, averaging 30.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 7.8 assists in the postseason.
Who Should the Lakers Want to Play?
The stylistic matchups suggest that a matchup with Durant and the Houston Rockets would be the most beneficial. With Rockets center Steven Adams out for the season, Ayton and Jaxson Hayes will take advantage of a declining Clint Capela when Sengun is off the floor.
He’s not the same center that backed up Trae Young in Atlanta during their time in the Peach State. His stats have depleted to a nightly contribution of 3.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 0.7 APG.
It’s rather poetic, since Ayton and Capela exchanged words on social media.
As they duke it out in the post, Hayes’s impact off the bench will be key, and L.A’s two Future Hall of Famers games will bring it home for the LakeShow. The All-Star duo has caused major issues for Rockets head coach Ime Udoka’s defensive schemes.
LeBron has averaged 22.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, and 4.0 APG on a crisp 67.5% from the field. Luka has averaged an astronomical 33.7 PPG, 7.0 APG, and 6.7 RPG, while shooting an efficient 50.5%.
The Lakers Should Want the Rockets
We’ve seen the two superstars raise their game in the biggest moments on the biggest stages, so fans expect nothing less this spring. Although the Lakers have won the season series against Minnesota and Denver, facing either team provides more adversity for Los Angeles.
Both teams possess stellar frontcourts with Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, Nikola Jokic, and Aaron Gordon in their starting lineups. All of these players have caused trouble for L.A in the past.
Victory for the Lakers isn’t out of the conversation, but with two young generational talents spearheading the other two options, it’s clear Houston would offer the path of least resistance, given their injuries.
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