Analysts suggest James would need to replicate the high-end form from his four best showings of the season. By posting big on-court impact—tracking plus-11, plus-9.2, plus-8.2, and plus-8 net points in those standout games—he could contribute roughly nine points per game toward team success. In that scenario, the Lakers, alongside Dončić and Reaves when healthy, could still push for a deep run.
There is a glimmer of hope in how James performed down the stretch without his injured teammates. In the final four games of the regular season, he delivered strong numbers—averaging about 25.5 points, 11.0 assists, 6.8 rebounds, and contributing positively on the floor—that performance has fueled optimism among some observers about his late-season form translating to the playoffs.
The Lakers enter as notable underdogs, and some analysts caution against expecting the best possible version of James given his age and the surrounding injuries. Nonetheless, there are voices, including former teammates and analysts, who believe James can still make critical decisions in late-game situations and potentially keep the series competitive.
There is also a possibility that Dončić could join the Lakers for the latter part of the series if his hamstring heals in time. Reports indicate Dončić has begun treatment in Europe and may rejoin late in the first round, though the typical recovery timeline for a grade 2 hamstring injury suggests a return window in early to mid-May, aligning with the start of the conference semifinals.
