The Los Angeles Lakers enter the final weekend of the 2025-26 NBA regular season in a vulnerable position, short-handed due to significant injuries.
With star guard Luka Doncic sidelined by a Grade 2 left hamstring strain and key contributor Austin Reaves out with a Grade 2 left oblique muscle injury, the team sits at 51-29, holding the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference.
They trail the Denver Nuggets by one game for third place and sit one game ahead of the Houston Rockets. Los Angeles owns the tiebreaker over both clubs.
Coach JJ Redick acknowledged the challenging optics as the Lakers hosted the Phoenix Suns on Friday — a game they dominated, 101-73 — and prepared to face the Utah Jazz on Sunday.
“I’m sure everybody wants to play us,” Redick said, via ESPN. “Let’s get that out there, like, everybody wants to play us.”
Redick noted that rival teams are eyeing potential second-round matchups and have begun resting key players.
“[Teams] are in a position where they can start looking forward to potential second-round matchups as well,” he said. “We can’t be concerned with all of that.”
Redick stressed the need for internal resolve amid uncertainty over the final seeding, which could land between Nos. 3 and 5.
“Again, I’ll say what I told the team yesterday,” he said, “we have to figure out the formula and the belief for this group to be successful. And so, that’s our focus for tonight, and that’s going to be our focus on Sunday.”
Despite the absences, the Lakers maintain a competitive stance, relying on depth and focus to close the season strong. Their performance in these final contests could shape a difficult but winnable first-round playoff path.
