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LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 10: Lakers head coach JJ Redick points to a player during a game with the Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers have been playing their best basketball for the last few weeks. They have won 12 of their last 14 games, even after a loss against the Pistons on Monday. Los Angeles has finally started to get healthy, and they have played better.
Luka Doncic is playing at an MVP level, scoring at will. He is someone who can get a shot anytime he wants. LeBron James is settling into a new role for the first time in his career. Quite frankly, this is the first stretch this season in which they have played like title contenders.
Right now, Los Angeles sits third in the Western Conference standings. Head coach JJ Redick is happy with how the team is playing, and he sent a warning to the rest of the league.
Lakers Head Coach JJ Redick Sends a Warning to the Rest of the NBA
After the game against Detroit, Redick talked about why the team has been playing better and how good they can be.
“That we’re a good basketball team. I believe we are a good basketball team. I thought we could be a good basketball team the entire season. We saw flashes of it. We saw short stretches of it, but we’re a good basketball team. I think we have to continue to play together and all that stuff.
Redick goes on to say that health has played a big part in their recent strong play.
“It is remarkable to me, not an excuse, but our winning streak has also coincided with us being healthy…that’s important for us. That we can get healthy and play our rotation. Post-Luke (Kennard) trade, we’ve been a pretty good basketball team when all nine guys have played.”
Redick has a defined rotation that he has now. He believes that when all of his guys are healthy and available, they are one of the best teams in the NBA. He sent a subtle warning in that press conference, especially with the team playing their best basketball of the year.
Los Angeles Could be a Title Contender
Over the last 14 games, the Lakers have the fourth-best offense in the league. LA has been healthy over that stretch, especially with the starting lineup. Austin Reaves has finally resolved his injury issues, and the top three players have found the proper balance of playing with each other.
Redick thinks that the team has a real shot to compete with the top two teams in the West. If LA stays third in the standings, they would only have to face one of the Thunder or the Spurs in the playoffs. That is the ideal path for them as they head into the playoffs.
The Lakers are a dangerous team if they can play solid perimeter defense. If they can do that, there aren’t many teams in the Western Conference that can take them down. As Redick mentioned, the team has to stay healthy to give itself a shot at winning one last time with James.