Lakers fans are breathing a bit easier these days. It has been a wild ride through the first half of the 2025-26 NBA season, but the Los Angeles Lakers record this year finally shows a team that has found its footing in a cutthroat Western Conference. As of January 15, 2026, the Lakers sit at 24-14, good for 5th in the West and leading the Pacific Division.
Honestly, if you told a fan back in October that they’d be ten games over .500 by mid-January, they’d probably take it and run. But the raw numbers don’t even tell half the story.
This season has been defined by a massive roster shift and the maturation of JJ Redick's coaching philosophy. Remember when everyone questioned the Luka Dončić trade? Or the "experts" who said LeBron James couldn't play alongside another ball-dominant guard at 41? Well, the box scores are starting to make those takes look pretty aged.
Breaking Down the Los Angeles Lakers Record This Year
The Lakers just came off a massive 141-116 blowout win against the Atlanta Hawks on January 13. It was a statement. Before that, things were looking a little shaky with a three-game skid, but the way they responded shows a resilience we haven't seen in a couple of years.
Look at the splits.
The team is 11-7 at home and surprisingly good on the road at 13-7. Usually, teams struggle away from their home floor, but this group seems to thrive on the "us against the world" energy. Maybe it’s the veteran leadership, or maybe it’s just the fact that having Luka and LeBron on the floor at the same time makes every arena feel like a home court.
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The Luka Factor and the Aging King
Luka Dončić is playing like a man possessed. He’s averaging 33.4 points per game, leading the team in almost every major category. But the real shocker? LeBron James. Even at 41, the man is putting up 22.4 points and flirting with triple-doubles on a nightly basis.
It’s kinda crazy to see.
Redick has been open about their relationship, recently admitting that LeBron sometimes tells him to "F off" during games when he sees a play he likes better. And Redick’s response? He lets him do it. That trust is why the Los Angeles Lakers record this year is hovering near the top of the standings instead of the play-in mess.
Why This Standing Actually Matters
The West is a gauntlet. The Oklahoma City Thunder are currently running away with the top seed at 34-7, but the gap between 2nd and 7th is paper-thin.
- Oklahoma City Thunder (34-7)
- Denver Nuggets (28-13)
- San Antonio Spurs (27-13)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (27-14)
- Los Angeles Lakers (24-14)
- Houston Rockets (23-14)
Being in the 5th spot is a comfortable place to be, but it’s fragile. One bad week and you’re suddenly looking at the 8th seed. The Lakers have been lucky with health—mostly.
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Austin Reaves has been a revelation this year, averaging 26.6 points, but he’s currently dealing with a calf strain. The team is going to need guys like Rui Hachimura and the recently acquired Deandre Ayton to step up their defensive intensity while Reaves is sidelined. Ayton has been a bit of a polarizing figure, even getting benched by Redick earlier this month for defensive lapses, but his 14.0 points and 68% shooting are hard to replace.
The Defensive Struggle
If there is a "but" in this conversation, it’s the defense. The Lakers are scoring 116.5 points per game (15th in the league), but they’re giving up 116.4. That’s a razor-thin margin. Their Defensive Rating of 117.8 ranks 24th out of 30 teams.
Basically, they are winning shootouts.
While that's fun for the fans and great for Google Discover highlights, it’s a dangerous way to live in the playoffs. You can't out-talent everyone every single night. Marcus Smart was brought in to be that defensive anchor in the backcourt, but he’s struggled to stay on the floor, and when he is out there, his 39% shooting hasn't helped the spacing much.
What to Watch For Next
The schedule isn't getting any easier. Tonight, January 15, they host the Charlotte Hornets at Crypto.com Arena. On paper, it's a win. Charlotte is 14-26 and struggling. But as we saw in the Sacramento loss on January 12, the Lakers have a habit of playing down to their competition when they get comfortable.
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Keep an eye on the following:
- Bronny James' Development: He’s only averaging 7.3 minutes, but his presence is a massive cultural storyline.
- The Trade Deadline: With a net rating of exactly +0.0, Rob Pelinka might be looking for one more defensive specialist before February.
- Back-to-Backs: The Lakers have a heavy road stretch coming up late in January with games in Denver and Dallas.
The Los Angeles Lakers record this year is a testament to star power, but the next 20 games will decide if they are actual contenders or just a high-scoring exhibition team.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors:
If you're tracking this team, watch the "Points Allowed" stat more than the wins. If Redick can't get this team into the top 15 defensively by March, their 5th seed standing is a house of cards. For bettors, the Lakers are 20-18 against the spread this season—a coin flip. They tend to cover when they are underdogs (4-8) but struggle to cover large spreads as favorites.
Pay close attention to the injury report regarding Austin Reaves’ calf; without his secondary playmaking, the burden on a 41-year-old LeBron becomes unsustainable. Keep your eyes on the transition defense—it’s the one thing that could sink this season faster than anything else.