LOS ANGELES -- The Western Conference is quickly shaping up to be a battleground in the final games of the NBA season. The Oklahoma City Thunder currently sit atop the standings, but with just a few days remaining in the regular season, the Lakers' playoff spot is far from secure. While they hold the third seed, they’re only two games away from falling to eighth. Six teams, including the Lakers, are separated by just two games, with five of them tied with 32 losses. A rough couple of nights could drastically alter the seeding.
With four games left, the Lakers have a slight edge over the 5 teams chasing them. One more win would likely guarantee a top-six finish, but they could finish as high as second or as low as eighth. A catastrophic collapse could push them into the play-in tournament, though that scenario seems unlikely, especially with a game against the struggling Blazers still on the schedule.
While LeBron and Luka have dominated the headlines all season, the most intriguing development for the Lakers has been Austin Reaves. Over the past 10 games, he’s averaged 24.6 points, 4.6 assists, and 4.3 rebounds, shooting over 50% from the field and better than 40% from three. His breakout performance has catapulted him to marquee status, forming a new Big 3 alongside LeBron and Luka in the eyes of the media. However, while this trio has grabbed attention, the Lakers’ playoff hopes ultimately hinge on one thing: results, not the hype surrounding them.
For a team with championship aspirations, the Lakers have glaring flaws—none more concerning than their defense. Currently ranked 14th in defensive rating, they trail six other playoff teams in the Western Conference in defensive efficiency. While the saying "defense wins championships" may sound cliché, the numbers are undeniable.
In the NBA playoffs, the game tightens. Pace slows, possessions become more valuable, and teams focus on a single opponent. Schemes sharpen, mismatches are exploited, and lazy defenders are exposed. Flashy highlights take a backseat—it’s all about stops and execution. Over the past decade, all but one NBA champion has ranked outside the top 10 in defensive rating. The message is clear: defense doesn’t just help you win—it determines who advances.
Here’s a look at the defensive ratings of the last 10 NBA champions:
- 2015: Golden State Warriors – #1 DR
- 2016: Cleveland Cavaliers – #10 DR
- 2017: Golden State Warriors – #2 DR
- 2018: Golden State Warriors – #11 DR
- 2019: Toronto Raptors – #5 DR
- 2020: Los Angeles Lakers – #3 DR
- 2021: Milwaukee Bucks – #10 DR
- 2022: Golden State Warriors – #1 (tied) DR
- 2023: Denver Nuggets – #2 DR
- 2024: Boston Celtics – #1 DR
LeBron and Luka are superstars, and Austin Reaves has emerged as a legitimate X-factor, but without a significant improvement on defense, the Lakers' playoff potential remains limited. This season is ripe for the taking, especially in a wide-open Western Conference. The Lakers are now at a crossroads: either break the trend of the past decade or make drastic defensive improvements—fast.
