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Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on before a game against the Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena on February 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
The Los Angeles Lakers (33-21) entered the NBA All-Star break with the 10th-shortest odds to win the 2026 NBA Finals and the sixth-shortest odds to represent the West in the championship round, with most pundits questioning their ability to compete against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spursaand Minnesota Timberwolves. Yet Luka Doncic is convinced that his team has all the tools to win a championship this year.
Addressing the media at the All-Star Game, Doncic explained that health is the only factor keeping the Lakers from championship contention.
“Obviously, we’re trying to win the championship. I think we can do it,” Doncic told NBA TV’s Chris Haynes.
“We have the team for it, but obviously, we had a lot of injuries. Me, Bron, and AR, everybody has been out some time. So now coming back from All-Star, I think everybody’s healthy. That’ll be a good test for us.”
Lakers Injury Woes
Further to Doncic’s point, the trio of LeBron James, Doncic and Austin Reaves have appeared in only 10 games together this season. While Doncic has missed 12 games, including a recent stretch before the All-Star break due to a hamstring strain, James sat out the first 15 games of the season and another three in subsequent months while dealing with a bout of sciatica and other lower leg injuries.
As for Reaves, the fifth-year guard has already missed 26 games — nearly half the season — following a severe calf strain he sustained on Christmas Day. Reaves’ absence has been a severe blow for the Lakers, given that he began the season as the Lakers’ most reliable clutch performer and most consistent three-point shooter. That’s precisely why LeBron James also feels health is the most deciding factor for the Lakers.
“Most important for our ball club right now is health,” James said. “I can’t state it any more clear. Not quite sure how many games we’ve had where we’ve had a full roster.
“…Our success is going to come down to obviously our health.”
Lakers NBA Finals Odds
Second-year guard Bronny James also feels that a healthy Lakers squad can compete with the top seed in the West.
“I know that our team believes that we can be contenders and make a deep playoff run,” Bronny said before the All-Star break, via Lakers Nation.
“We all believe that. Once we get healthy and stuff like that, it’s just gonna come down to playing hard and playing smart and winning games.”
One of the factors working in the Lakers’ favor is their NBA-best 15-3 record in clutch games, a metric that could bode well for their chances in the postseason. Furthermore, all three of their star players get to the free-throw line at will and fare better when the game slows down — another positive sign for the Lakers’ postseason hopes.
The Lakers will host the Clippers on Friday night in their first game after the All-Star break. Last year, JJ Redick’s team went on a scorching run in the second half of the season to secure the third seed in the West.
Sai Mohan covers the NBA for Heavy.com. Based in Portugal, Sai is a seasoned sports writer with nearly two decades of publishing experience, including bylines at Yardbarker, FanSided’s Hoops Habit, International Business Times, Hindustan Times and more. More about Sai Mohan
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