The Los Angeles Lakers (45-29) are in the thick of a tight Western Conference race as they clash with the Houston Rockets (49-26) on Monday night. They're 1.5 games behind the Denver Nuggets (47-28), one ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies (43-31), and two ahead of the Golden State Warriors (43-31).
With LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves all back from injury, the main core is fully intact. However, the results have been uneven recently, as Los Angeles is 5-5 in its last 10 games.
While the Lakers are in prime position to at least finish as the fifth seed, head coach JJ Redick isn't satisfied, via Spectrum SportsNet.
"We gotta build our playoff mentality and it's gotta be tonight because this team is really good," the first-year coach said.
Los Angeles is coming off a first-round exit at the hands of the Denver Nuggets last season. It also got swept by the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals the year before that.
"We gotta build our playoff mentality and it's gotta be tonight because this team is really good."
JJ Redick speaks with @LakerReporter and the media ahead of the #LakeShow matchup with the Houston Rockets. pic.twitter.com/ZHI4FJnCku
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) April 1, 2025
However, the Lakers didn't have Doncic back then, as they acquired him for Anthony Davis and Max Christie in a surprise trade deadline deal with the Dallas Mavericks this season. They also agreed to terms with the Charlotte Hornets for Mark Williams, but they voided the deal after he failed his physical.
Los Angeles will face the Warriors on Thursday and the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday before two straight road games against the Oklahoma City Thunder. It would face the Grizzlies in the first round if the season ended now.
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This story was originally published March 31, 2025 at 10:51 PM.