LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are making the most out of their current stretch without Luka Doncic in the rotation.
The NBA’s scoring champion is currently recovering from a hamstring injury. His availability in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs is unknown.
While the basketball world assumed the Lakers would crumble without Doncic, failing to even give him a chance to return and compete in the postseason, it turns out the Lakers are still a strong team led by the 41-year-old superstar LeBron James.
Notable sportstalk host Skip Bayless is typically one to downplay the value of LeBron, but he couldn’t help but credit the superstar for the way he’s leading the charge for LA.
In fact, Bayless went as far as saying the Lakers are better without Doncic currently, due to the Lakers shifting their focus to becoming much stronger on the defensive side of the ball.
Skip Bayless’ High Praise For The Lakers
GettyLOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 4: Sports commentator and television personality Skip Bayless poses for a portrait in Los Angeles, California on October 4, 2024. (Photo by Ian Maddox for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
“I just think they’re a little better basketball team on both ends of the floor without Luka,” Bayless said on The Arena.
“In Game 1, I saw a team with LeBron orchestrating, and LeBron has far less ego than Luka does. Luka has to be the whole show, and obviously, he can be a defensive liability.”
All season long, Lakers head coach JJ Redick called out his team’s defensive struggles. Heading into the playoffs, Redick preached that having better defense would be the key to keeping the season alive.
The Lakers defeated the Rockets 107-98.
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a basket against the Houston Rockets during the first half at Toyota Center on March 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Houston missed its top scorer, Kevin Durant, who was dealing with a knee contusion. In Durant’s absence, the Rockets couldn’t establish an identity on the offensive end of the floor. The Lakers took advantage with their defensive boost.
“Luka is the most inefficient player in the league,” Bayless continued. “He is obviously an offensive scoring genius, but he led the league in shots attempted per game. He led the league in three-point attempts per game. He led the league in free-throw attempts per game, and he led the league in turnovers.
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 18: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Houston Rockets during the second half at Toyota Center on March 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
“He also led the league in scoring, but he’s the Showtime Laker singular. The whole show, the whole world revolves around Luka. [In Game 2] I saw connection. I saw trust, positivity, and momentum on defense that fed the offense.”
Durant returned to the court for the Rockets in Game 2. Although he had a strong showing in the first half, producing 20 points, Durant finished the game with just 23 points. He also turned the ball over nine times.
The Lakers defeated the Rockets 101-94. They have a 2-0 lead heading into Houston, Texas. While most won’t agree that a team is better without its MVP-caliber player, who led the league in scoring, the defensive argument is valid. Each game and series in the playoffs is different and has different requirements in order to win.
For the time being, the Lakers seem to have the recipe for success against the Rockets without Luka Doncic.
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