The Los Angeles Lakers are sitting at 33-21 as of February 13, 2026-solidly in fifth place in the Western Conference standings. That’s a respectable record, one that puts them squarely in the playoff picture. But in a West that’s deeper than ever, the question isn’t just about making the postseason-it’s about whether this team is built to survive it.
Right now, the Lakers are sandwiched between Houston and Minnesota, with the Rockets holding a slight edge and the Timberwolves lurking just behind. On paper, that’s contender territory.
But the reality is more complicated. The Western Conference is a gauntlet.
Oklahoma City is leading the pack with a 42-14 record, and both San Antonio and Denver are proving they’re not going anywhere. The Lakers, meanwhile, are still trying to find consistency-especially on the defensive end.
Yes, L.A. has shown flashes of defensive improvement recently, but the body of work over the season tells a different story. It’s been a rollercoaster ride, and league insiders aren’t convinced this group can lock in for a full 48 minutes night after night-especially when the lights get brighter in the postseason.
That skepticism came to a head on February 13, when ESPN’s Brian Windhorst didn’t mince words. “They’re in fourth place in the West… Enjoy the season.
You’re not going to the Finals this year.” That’s a blunt assessment, and it echoes a sentiment that’s been quietly circulating around the league.
Fellow insider Tim MacMahon added to the chorus, calling the Lakers “not championship good.”
The concerns are layered. Depth is one of them-this roster hasn’t shown the kind of reliable second-unit production that contending teams typically lean on.
Then there’s the ever-present injury risk, especially with aging stars like LeBron James. The Lakers are banking on health and continuity, but that’s a risky bet in a conference where younger, deeper teams are sprinting toward the postseason.
And while other teams made moves to bolster their rotations at the trade deadline, the Lakers stayed relatively quiet. The lone notable addition?
Luke Kennard. He’s a solid shooter and can help space the floor, but he’s not a needle-mover in the way fans might have hoped.
In a year where every edge matters, standing pat could come back to bite them.
The road ahead doesn’t get any easier. February is shaping up to be a grind.
According to NBA Storylines, the Lakers are facing the league’s fifth-toughest schedule this month, with opponents carrying a combined .552 winning percentage. Ten of their twelve games come against teams ranked in the top 20 in defensive efficiency.
That’s not exactly the kind of stretch where you find your rhythm-it’s more like survival mode.
Contrast that with the Houston Rockets, who are just ahead of L.A. in the standings. Houston has the 21st-ranked February schedule, with opponents winning at just a .474 clip. That’s a softer path and gives them more room to stumble without losing ground.
Looking beyond February, the Lakers’ challenges only intensify. Tankathon ranks their remaining schedule as the eighth-hardest in the league.
Meanwhile, Minnesota-currently just a step behind in the standings-has a lighter load the rest of the way. That’s significant, especially in a Western Conference where the difference between the fifth seed and the Play-In Tournament can come down to a single game.
So yes, the Lakers are in the mix. But being in the mix isn’t the same as being built for a deep playoff run. The margin for error is razor-thin, and unless this team finds another gear-fast-they could find themselves battling just to stay out of the Play-In.