LeBron James turned back the clock-again-on Thursday night, dropping a triple-double in the Lakers’ 124-104 win over the Dallas Mavericks. It was the kind of performance we've come to expect from the King: 28 points, 12 assists, 10 rebounds, and a reminder that even in Year 21, he can still take over a game like few others in NBA history.
But while the box score tells one story, the bigger question looms: Can this Lakers team make a real run in the postseason?
That’s where the conversation gets a little more complicated.
With the win, the Lakers moved to 33-21, sitting in fifth place in the Western Conference as we head into the All-Star break. Given the injury absences they’ve dealt with-LeBron missing time, Austin Reaves in and out, and the usual bumps and bruises that come with an 82-game grind-that record is more than respectable.
It’s impressive. They've weathered the storm and are still standing tall in a loaded West.
But ESPN’s Brian Windhorst isn’t ready to buy into any Finals hype just yet. Speaking on Get Up, he offered a dose of realism for Lakers fans riding high after the win.
“They're in fifth place in the West. That’s terrific considering all of the games their stars have missed,” Windhorst said.
“They're having a really good season. But this is a somewhat limited roster.”
And he’s not wrong. The Lakers have been solid, but this isn’t the deepest or most dynamic squad in the league.
They’ve had to grind out wins, rely on LeBron’s brilliance, and hope for stretches of health from Anthony Davis and the rest of the core. That formula can get you to the playoffs-but can it carry you through a gauntlet of teams like Denver, OKC, or a healthy Clippers squad?
Windhorst’s take is clear: this may not be a championship year. And that’s okay.
“If you're healthier than your opposition in the playoffs, if you catch the right matchup, you might be able to make a run,” he said. “Just enjoy the season.”
That might be the best advice for Lakers fans right now. Enjoy the ride.
“Do what LeBron [James] said. Enjoy the season. You're not going to the Finals this year."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 13, 2026
Brian Windhorst to Lakers fans 👀
(via @GetUpESPN)pic.twitter.com/lJ0VzAorof
Enjoy nights like Thursday, when LeBron puts on a show and reminds everyone why he’s still one of the most complete players in the game. He scored or assisted on the team’s first 23 points.
That’s not just dominance-that’s orchestration at its finest.
And let’s not forget: the Lakers did all this with Luka Doncic out for the Mavericks, which certainly played a role in the outcome. But still, the way L.A. handled business was impressive. They looked sharp, focused, and energized-three things that haven’t always been consistent this season.
So, are the Lakers Finals-bound? Maybe not. But they’re relevant, they’re dangerous, and they’ve got LeBron James playing at an elite level heading into the stretch run.
That alone makes them a team worth watching-and a team nobody’s going to want to face in a seven-game series.