Luka Doncic and the Lakers face their final test against Thunder

These are golden days in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Lakers keep smiling as time passes - relentless for some, but not for this historic franchise, which has put together a March to remember: 15–2, with 14 wins in their last 16 games. That shaky 34–24 record at the end of February, after three straight losses, has turned into an outstanding 50–26.

They are holding onto third place in the Western Conference, locked in a tight battle with the Denver Nuggets, but with home-court advantage in the first round nearly secured. And the purple-and-gold franchise, always inclined to see the glass half full, now sees it overflowing.

Their optimism is backed by results, everything clicking at the right time, and a remarkable resilience embodied by Luka Doncic, who has scored 40 or more points in three straight games and 30+ in 12. Not bad at all.

The Slovenian star is in the best physical shape of his career. Or, at least since arriving in Los Angeles after leaving the Dallas Mavericks against his will in the blockbuster trade that shook the NBA on February 1, 2025. But he is not alone. The Lakers have become a cohesive unit, defending at a high level and on track for their second straight 50-win season, something they hadn’t achieved since 2009–10 and 2010–11.

JJ Redick has also made history, becoming the first Lakers coach since Phil Jackson to accomplish that feat. It’s a remarkable achievement for a coach who has managed egos, stayed above the noise, and pushed his team forward at the most critical stage of the season. March, often tedious for fans, is vital for teams, and it has become a perfect springboard for a Lakers squad dreaming big.

Austin Reaves is thriving, Rui Hachimura has found his role, and Deandre Ayton has finally become a reliable center. The chemistry is growing. Beyond winning, they’re enjoying themselves.

Meanwhile, LeBron James has simplified his approach. No distractions about the past or future, no complaints about contracts, just doing everything the team needs while fully embracing his role. When things go wrong, his frustration shows; when things go right, he leads the charge. His connection with Doncic has never looked stronger, and at 41, he clearly believes a fifth ring is within reach.

A defining test awaits the Lakers

If the Lakers finish third or fourth, they will face either the Minnesota Timberwolves or the Houston Rockets in the first round. They hold a winning record against both, and against Denver, but not against the league’s elite.

That includes the San Antonio Spurs, led by Victor Wembanyama, and especially the Oklahoma City Thunder, the defending champions. The Lakers haven’t beaten Oklahoma City since April 6, 2025, losing three straight since then - two this season alone. Now comes the real test.

There’s a question that has lingered for days: Are the Lakers really this good? Can they actually contend for a title? The simple answer might be no, but that would also be shortsighted. Out of 30 teams, only one wins it all.

Realistically, Los Angeles is expected to get past the first round and fall in the second, likely against San Antonio or Oklahoma City. Even getting there won’t be easy. Houston is manageable, but Minnesota eliminated them 4–1 last year.

Two games that could define everything

The Lakers are about to face their biggest test of the regular season: two games against the Thunder in less than a week. First in Oklahoma City, then back at Crypto.com Arena. In between, Doncic will return to Dallas, where fans still mourn his departure.

The rest of the schedule - matchups against the Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns, and Utah Jazz - looks more manageable. But everything revolves around those two clashes with Oklahoma City.

The Lakers must win at least one of them to prove this isn’t just a hot streak. March has been spectacular, but the rest of the season tells a more complex story. These games will reveal their true level.

And they won’t come easy. The Thunder still hold a slim lead over the Spurs in the race for the West’s top seed, and they have no intention of slowing down.

And then… the MVP race

There’s another layer of intrigue: the MVP battle. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander appears to be the frontrunner to repeat, while the Spurs are pushing hard for Wembanyama. Nikola Jokić remains locked in the mix, and Jaylen Brown lingers further behind.

But Doncic is making his case. Game by game, he continues building an argument for what would be his first MVP award, a trophy that often favors repeat winners but has historically eluded others, as it once did with Kobe Bryant.

It’s very possible that his head-to-head matchup with Gilgeous-Alexander will help decide the race. Because while the MVP may not carry the weight of a championship, it still matters deeply, to players, and to their legacy.

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