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Lakers’ Kobe Bufkin during his 10-day stint in the NBA against his former team, the Atlanta Hawks
The Los Angeles Lakers are finding form at the right time, building momentum as the race for postseason positioning intensifies in the Western Conference.
A recent nine-game winning streak may have been snapped by the Detroit Pistons, but the bigger picture remains encouraging, with Los Angeles winning 12 of its last 14 games.
Now sitting third in the West at 46-26, the Lakers’ resurgence has extended beyond the NBA roster, with success filtering down to the G League level as well.
Lakers’ G League Affiliate Mirrors Strong Late-Season Surge
The South Bay Lakers have enjoyed a dominant stretch of their own, recently putting together a franchise-record 12-game winning streak.
That run propelled them to the top of the Western Conference standings, where they now sit tied with the Mexico City Capitanes at 24-10, with several teams still within striking distance.
Two-way players Nick Smith Jr., Drew Timme, and Chris Manon have been key contributors throughout the season, alongside NBA assignees Bronny James and Adou Thiero.
RJ Davis has also impressed, but much of the spotlight earlier in the campaign centered on Kobe Bufkin.
The former first-round pick has revitalized his trajectory after a turbulent spell with the Atlanta Hawks, emerging as one of the most NBA-ready guards outside the league.
The 22-year-old has made a consistent impact on both ends, but it’s his offensive production that has truly stood out among the G League’s elite.
Following the February trade deadline, general manager Rob Pelinka opted to bypass a buyout market filled with notable names, instead signing Bufkin to a two-year standard NBA deal.
At the time, the move came as a surprise, but it followed promising flashes during his earlier 10-day stint with the team.
Bufkin Closing in on Elite Shooting Milestone
Through 23 G League games this season, Bufkin is averaging 25.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, while also contributing close to a block per contest.
His efficiency has been particularly eye-catching, shooting 51.1% from the field, 42.5% from three-point range, and 90.2% from the free-throw line.
If those numbers hold, Bufkin is on track to join the elusive 50/40/90 club, a rare achievement at any level, and especially in the G League’s fast-paced environment.
Bronny James is also on pace to reach that benchmark, further highlighting the level of talent within South Bay’s roster.
Since signing his full NBA contract, Bufkin’s G League appearances have been sporadic. He has featured in just two games for South Bay, most recently recording 12 points, three rebounds, and four assists in a win over the Grand Rapids Gold on March 21, despite an inefficient shooting night.
While his G League production suggests he is ready for a larger opportunity, his role at the NBA level has remained limited.
Across 11 appearances, spanning both his initial 10-day contract and current deal, Bufkin has logged just 90 total minutes, the fewest on the roster outside of Manon.
Still, he remains a developmental option with upside, and as the Lakers push towards the postseason, his availability could become increasingly valuable as depth and flexibility take on greater importance.
Matt Evans is a sports journalist from the United Kingdom, based in Paris, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA and wider global sport. More about Matt Evans
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