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HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 16: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Houston Rockets during the second half at Toyota Center on March 16, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA. They have won nine of their last 10 games and have ascended to the third spot in the Western Conference standings. Suddenly, they look like a title contender.
Having Luka Doncic playing the way he has over the last week or so is a big reason why. He won Player of the Week after his strong offensive performances. He has been the best player on the roster since joining the team a year and a half ago, before the trade deadline.
Doncic is already breaking team records with how well he is playing. He just tied James Worthy’s 52-game mark of 30-point games with the franchise. Only ten more players have more games with that many points. Worthy was just as impressed as everyone else in the league.
Lakers Legend James Worthy Gives Luka Doncic Incredible Praise
Doncic has now had 30+ points in 52 of the games he’s played for Los Angeles. Following a game against the Rockets in which he tied Worthy for that mark, Worthy gave Doncic the proper praise he deserves.
“But I just want to clarify something. Luka’s got that as a Laker? It took me 14 years. He got his in a year and a half. I love it.”
NBA Courtside
James Worthy on Luka Dončić tying his Lakers 30-point game mark with 52:
“But I just want to clarify something. Luka’s got that as a Laker. It took me 14 years. He’s got his in a year and a half.”
Worthy is one of the greatest Lakers of all-time. He scored when the team needed him to do it the most. This shows just how effortless it is for Doncic to put up points on any given night. He hasn’t even played an entire season start-to-finish with the team yet.
If Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wasn’t doing what he is doing for the number-one team in the NBA, Doncic would have a shot to win an MVP. Instead, he will have to settle for being named first-team All-NBA. He’s probably the second-best guard in the league.
Los Angeles has Figured Out how to Play With all Three Stars
LeBron James has been able to figure out a way to play with both Doncic and Austin Reaves in the last couple of weeks. He seems to have accepted his role as a role player with the way the roster is set up. James is perhaps the most qualified role player in the league.
Over the last 10 games, the Lakers have the third-best offense in the league. Since Reaves came back from his injury, the team has figured out a better way to get everyone properly involved. That has been the key to their ascension up the standings.
The Lakers have been playing like a championship contender over that time span. Of course, winning a title would mean they would have to be better than the Thunder, Spurs, and Nuggets. Those three other teams have been considered title contenders all season.
Los Angeles is led offensively by Doncic, and they are led by their strong offense. Doncic will likely keep setting records with the Lakers as the years go by. He is the centerpiece of the roster who will help them win a ton of games.