Lakers Look to Keep Thriving After All-Star Break
The NBA season so far has been very exciting. We saw the Milwaukee Bucks enjoy their first NBA In-Season Tournament Championship. The 2025 NBA Trade Deadline will be remembered as one of the most exciting trade deadlines in history as many stars were dealt. None more shocking than the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks trade that sent Luka Dončić to the purple and gold. Now, as the all-star break begins, the Lakers, with their new addition, look to make some loud noise in the Western Conference standings. The Lakers ended their last 15 games before the break with a 12-3 record.
After a very mediocre start, the Lakers flipped a switch and started going on a nice run. During this stretch, the Lakers have been averaging over 117 points per game and enjoyed a season-long six-game winning streak. What has been very eye-popping with the Lakers is the defensive end. This stretch consisted of the Lakers’ defense holding opponents under 100 points four times and having a top-five defensive rating.
One of the more eye-popping changes from first-year head coach JJ Redick is running more two big man lineups. This was very effective with Anthony Davis and Jaxson Hayes. Now, with Davis out of Los Angeles, the Lakers are running Hayes by himself as the only big, but his game has excelled. He has been a lob threat for Dončić and LeBron James to use in the pick and roll. Once the second half of the season starts up, expect Hayes to continue being a vital part for the Lakers. The second big to Hayes is going to be Alex Len, who was just signed by the Lakers.
Dončić has played in two games for the Lakers since returning from injury. Playing on a minute restriction, he is averaging 15 points, four assists, and just under five rebounds. The big thing revolving around the new look Lakers will be the defensive end. Dončić’s biggest issue has been on the defensive end as he has been labeled a liability. If the Lakers hope to make a deep run this season, everyone is going to need to pick up the intensity and not miss any assignments. As we head into the break, the Lakers are 32-20 and fifth in the Western Conference standings. They return to action next Wednesday against the Charlotte Hornets at Crypto.com Arena.
