LeBron’s Still Got It, but the Lakers’ Health May Decide Their Ceiling
The Lakers have been walking a tightrope all season, and the balancing act continues. Luka Dončić, their offensive engine, has missed 12 games, and the team has gone an even 6-6 without him.
With Dončić on the floor, they’re a much more formidable 27-15 - a clear indication of his impact. Meanwhile, Austin Reaves, the team’s second-leading scorer, has been out for 26 games, mostly due to a nagging left calf issue.
Then there’s LeBron James. At 39, he’s still rewriting the record books.
On Thursday night against the Mavericks, he became the oldest player in NBA history to record a triple-double - and he didn’t just sneak into it. He owned the moment, scoring or assisting on the Lakers’ first 23 points.
That’s not just vintage LeBron - that’s timeless LeBron.
“Just enjoy the season,” said ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. “Enjoy that on a Thursday night, when their star player's out, LeBron puts up a triple-double.”
The crowd certainly did. Even with Dončić sidelined, fans got a show.
But while James continues to defy age, his streak of award eligibility will come to an end after missing 18 games - a reminder that even legends aren’t immune to the grind of an 82-game season.
This version of the Lakers has had its ups and downs. Two separate three-game losing streaks have tested their resilience, but despite the injuries to key players, they’re still hanging tough in the top half of the Western Conference. As of now, they’re just 1.5 games behind the Nuggets for the third seed - a spot that could make all the difference come playoff time.
What’s been different this season is LeBron’s role. When Dončić and Reaves are both available, James has taken more of a step back - not disappearing, but picking his spots, conserving energy, and letting the younger guys carry more of the load. But Thursday night was a reminder: when needed, he can still flip the switch and take over a game.
That’s crucial, because the Lakers don’t have a huge margin for error. They’re 14th in scoring offense and 18th in scoring defense, both sitting right at 116 points per game. That kind of statistical symmetry tells the story - they’re in a lot of close games, and they need everything to click to come out on top.
Health is the X-factor. If Dončić, Reaves, and James are all upright and in rhythm, this team can hang with almost anyone.
But that’s been a big “if” all season. Continuity has been hard to come by - the starting five has rarely shared the floor for extended stretches - and that lack of cohesion could be a real obstacle in a playoff setting.
Assuming they stay in the playoff picture, it may come down to matchups and timing. But even with a healthy roster, it’s tough to label this squad a legitimate title contender until we see more consistency - both in health and in play.
For now, though, LeBron is still giving us moments. And in a season filled with uncertainty, that alone is something worth appreciating.