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Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers
Despite being a top team in the tight Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers aren’t getting votes of confidence from former players.
Over the weekend, the legendary Charles Barkley stated that a win or loss against the Denver Nuggets shouldn’t change the idea that he believes the Lakers aren’t true championship contenders.
On Monday, the former Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce shared a similar sentiment. The standings say the Lakers are a top-three team. His eyes tell him they are one-and-done material this time around.
Lakers Get A Concerning Prediction From Paul Pierce
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 07: Former NBA player Paul Pierce looks on during the first quarter in Game One of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs between the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden on May 07, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
“Like, if they have to play Timberwolves, Nuggets, Rockets. I don’t think they can beat any of these three teams,” Pierce said on the ‘No Fouls Given’ podcast.
“I don’t think they will make it out of the first round.”
Beyond the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs, the West is too tight to make a call on seeding. The Lakers have a 0.5 lead over the Houston Rockets, and just a 1.5 lead over the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves.
A lot can change in the final few weeks of the regular season.
But if the 2025-2026 NBA season ended on March 16, the Lakers would draw a first-round series against the Timberwolves. Although Pierce lacks confidence in the Lakers in that matchup, LA has had plenty of success against the Wolves this year.
In three meetings, the Lakers are 3-0. They’ve won four games in a row against Minnesota and picked up the seasonal sweep.
What NBA Fans Are Saying
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 21: A detailed view of the Los Angeles Lakers logo at midcourt before the game against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on October 21, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Here’s what NBA fans are saying in response to Paul Pierce’s statement on X:
@RenzWinford: Lakers been exposing a lot of teams lately
@mantitoy: I don’t think any of those teams can beat the Lakers 4 times in a series. 😎
@black_adam_9: This is not a controversial take. They wouldn’t beat any of the teams who are the 4-6 seeds right now in a series. Currently they’re the 3 and MN is the 6th and they would lose to them again if they had to play them.
@SubjectivelyLen: Paul’s right. Regardless of the matchup or the seeding, they will not escape the first round. Excluding the pandemic, they’ve only gotten out of the first round with LBJ ONCE. The West is insanely brutal and I don’t see it happening.
@Sa1ntLuhrant: So we beating good teams and now we still can’t make it out the first round????
The Lakers are red-hot as the season reaches the middle of March.
Their overtime win against the Denver Nuggets was the fifth-straight victory for LA. During that stretch, they’ve secured wins over the Chicago Bulls, Timberwolves, New York Knicks, and the Indiana Pacers.
On Monday, March 16, the Lakers are taking on the Houston Rockets. LA is searching for its 43rd win of the season.
Justin Grasso Justin Grasso is an NBA reporter, covering trending league news, transactions, injuries, and player developments. He is a credentialed journalist with nearly a decade of insider access. More about Justin Grasso
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