If you’ve been checking the box scores lately, you’ve probably noticed the vibe around the Purple and Gold is... well, it’s complicated. The Los Angeles Lakers last 10 games have been a total rollercoaster. We’re talking about a team that looks like a title contender on Tuesday and then plays like they forgot how to rotate on Wednesday.
Honestly, it’s been a weird stretch. As of January 14, 2026, the Lakers are sitting on a 5-5 record over their last ten. They just came off a massive 141-116 blowout win against the Atlanta Hawks last night, which felt like a much-needed exhale after a pretty brutal slide. Before that win, things were looking kinda dicey with three straight losses to the Kings, Bucks, and Spurs.
The Austin Reaves Void is Real
You can’t talk about this 10-game stretch without mentioning the massive hole in the lineup. Austin Reaves went down with a Grade 2 left calf strain, and the impact was immediate. People underestimate how much he stabilizes the second unit. Without him, the bench scoring has basically cratered.
Rui Hachimura has been in and out of the lineup with his own calf issues, and while LeBron James is still out there doing LeBron things—averaging about 22 points and 7 assists in this span—the margin for error is razor-thin. JJ Redick has been forced to play "mad scientist" with the rotations. Some of it works; some of it really doesn't.
A Breakdown of the Recent Slump
The middle of this 10-game run was particularly ugly.
📖 Related: Jake Paul Mike Tyson Tattoo: What Most People Get Wrong
- The Sacramento Disaster: Losing 112-124 to the Kings on January 12th was a wake-up call. The defense looked slow.
- The Bucks Heartbreaker: A 101-105 loss where the offense just went cold in the final four minutes.
- The Spurs Stunner: Getting blown out 91-107 by San Antonio is the kind of game that keeps fans up at night.
But then, out of nowhere, they drop 141 points on Atlanta. That’s the Lakers for you right now.
Luka and LeBron: The Chemistry Check
The biggest storyline of the 2025-26 season has been the arrival of Luka Doncic in LA. In the Los Angeles Lakers last 10 games, we’ve seen the growing pains of having two high-usage maestros on the floor. When it clicks, it’s beautiful. When it doesn't, you see a lot of "your turn, my turn" basketball.
Luka is still putting up monster numbers—roughly 27 points and 7 assists—but the net rating with both him and LeBron on the floor hasn't been as dominant as you’d expect. According to recent tracking data, the Lakers are 12-0 in "clutch" games (games within 5 points in the final 5 minutes) this season. That’s insane. It means they’re surviving on pure talent at the end of games, even when the first three quarters are a mess.
Defending the Perimeter
The defense has been the real issue. During this 4-6 or 5-5 stretch (depending on how you count the New Year’s flip), the Lakers have hovered around 24th in the league in Defensive Rating. They’re giving up way too many open threes. Marcus Smart has tried to be the anchor, but he can't be everywhere at once.
👉 See also: What Place Is The Phillies In: The Real Story Behind the NL East Standings
Deandre Ayton has been steady on the glass, but the rim protection vanishes the second he hits the bench. Jaxson Hayes was providing some energy, but a hamstring tweak sidelined him for the Atlanta game. It’s basically a revolving door in the training room right now.
Why the Context Matters
Look, 5th in the Western Conference (24-14 overall) isn't a bad place to be. But the fans are restless because the "expected" win-loss record based on point differential suggests they should be closer to .500. They’ve been winning close ones and getting blown out in their losses.
Actually, the Lakers had seven losses in December alone where they lost by double digits. That’s a lot of "garbage time" for a team with championship aspirations.
Surprising Bright Spots
It’s not all doom and gloom.
✨ Don't miss: Huskers vs Michigan State: What Most People Get Wrong About This Big Ten Rivalry
- Dalton Knecht: The rookie has shown flashes of being a legitimate floor spacer.
- Luka's Gravity: Even when he's not scoring, the way he draws doubles is opening up lanes for Gabe Vincent.
- Clutch Factor: As mentioned, they simply don't lose if the game is close at the end.
Actionable Insights for the Next Stretch
If you're betting on the Lakers or just following along for the ride, here is what needs to change for the next 10 games to look better:
- Survive the Reaves Absence: They need a third scorer to step up consistently. Whether that's Rui (if healthy) or more minutes for Jarred Vanderbilt to spark the transition game.
- Fix the Transition Defense: They are getting killed on the break. JJ Redick needs to hammer home the "get back" philosophy, even if it means crashing the offensive glass less.
- Monitor LeBron's Minutes: He’s playing a lot for a guy his age in January. With a heavy road schedule coming up (Nuggets, Clippers, Mavericks), load management might become a keyword again.
The schedule doesn't get easier. They’ve got Charlotte on the 15th, followed by a trip to Portland. If they can’t string together three or four wins here, the gap between them and the 4th-seed Timberwolves is going to start looking like a canyon.
Basically, the Lakers are a team in transition. They have the star power to beat anyone, but until they find a defensive identity that lasts more than two quarters, every game is going to feel like a toss-up. Keep an eye on the injury report—especially Reaves and Hachimura—because this roster is too thin to survive many more hits to the rotation.