In his long-awaited return to the court, LeBron James delivered an undefeated stretch that has placed the Oklahoma City Thunder on high alert and reaffirmed his status as an essential force for the Los Angeles Lakers.
For the first time in twenty-three years, James missed a season opener due to a sciatic issue that required careful recovery, forcing him to remain on the sidelines while regaining strength. Once back, the King made it clear that he has no intention of merely watching what could be the final chapter of his illustrious NBA career, continuing to add accomplishments with every minute he plays.
Since his return for the 2025-26 campaign, the Lakers have compiled a three-game winning streak that elevated their record to 13-4, positioning them as a growing threat to the reigning champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, who remain atop the league at 18-1.
Their first matchup of the season ended in a decisive win for Oklahoma City, and James was absent from the lineup at the time, still recovering and building the rhythm necessary to reestablish himself as the dominant presence he has long been for the franchise.
For now, he remains in a secondary role, expecting that increased minutes will soon restore him fully to form. He must regain pace, but he is already on track to resume his position as the Lakers’ primary reference point, a role he has embodied since the moment he arrived.
Against the Los Angeles Clippers, he delivered an impressive performance with twenty-five points, six rebounds, and six assists, proving especially effective when his unit needed him most.
The Lakers are failing to convince everyone at the start of this season
In their first meeting of the season, the Thunder secured a resounding victory over the Lakers, made even more striking because it came on the second night of a back-to-back. Yet the Los Angeles squad did not have LeBron James available, as he was still injured. Even so, many analysts and fans believe the Lakers possess a particular weakness that leaves them especially vulnerable.
What observers have noted is that the team lacks players capable of contributing effectively on both ends of the floor, a contrast to the Thunder, who are well-equipped in that regard.
While Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have been imposing on offense, their defensive output has been far less consistent.
This remains an unresolved and genuinely significant issue that the Lakers absolutely must address if they hope to contend seriously for the championship this year, as they need true and reliable two-way players to compete at the highest possible level and within the consistently demanding competitive environment that defines the league today and that ultimately shapes every team’s realistic pursuit of a title each season.
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