Luka Doncic Confident in Lakers’ NBA Title Chances
Luka Doncic expresses full confidence in the Lakers' ability to win the 2026 NBA championship. The Slovenian is banking on roster health to compete with the best teams in the Western Conference.
Photo Credit : © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Lakers (33-21) entered the All-Star Game break with modest odds to win the 2026 NBA Finals, ranking only 10th among favorites. Yet, Luka Doncic displays unwavering confidence in his team’s ability to capture the title this season.
Asked by media during the All-Star Game, the Slovenian guard clearly expressed his ambitions: « Obviously, we’re trying to win the championship. I think we can do it, » Doncic told Chris Haynes of NBA TV. « We have the team for it, but obviously, we’ve had a lot of injuries. Me, Bron, and AR, everyone has been out at some point. So now, coming back from the All-Star break, I think everyone is healthy. It’ll be a good test for us. »
Injuries, the Lakers’ Main Obstacle This Season
The statistics support Doncic’s assessment regarding the impact of injuries. The trio of LeBron James, Doncic and Austin Reaves has played only 10 games together this season. Doncic has missed 12 games, including a recent absence before the All-Star break due to a hamstring strain.
LeBron James has also been affected, missing the first 15 games of the season as well as three other games due to sciatica issues and other leg injuries. Austin Reaves has been hit hardest with 26 games missed already – nearly half the season – following a severe calf strain suffered on Christmas Day.
« The most important thing for our team right now is health, » LeBron James stated. « I can’t say it any clearer. I’m not sure how many games we’ve had where we had a full roster… Our success is obviously going to depend on our health. »
LeBron & Luka All-Star intros 😎 pic.twitter.com/8xuzVbJOmM
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 15, 2026
Bronny James shares this optimism as well: « I know our team believes we can be contenders and make a deep playoff run. We all believe it. Once we’re healthy and all that, it’ll just come down to playing hard and smart and winning games. »
The Lakers nevertheless possess significant strengths with the best NBA record in close games (15-3), an encouraging indicator for the playoffs. JJ Redick’s team will resume competition Friday night against the Clippers for their first game after the All-Star break.
Stats 2025-2026 / NBA
PTS
32.9
#1
REB
7.9
#33
AST
8.6
#5
With a background in sports management, Nicolas Flamecourt covers NBA news with a particular passion for the North American league, which he has been following for several years. He also covers the NCAA, including news and scouting of future prospects, and regularly conducts interviews with French players as well as players competing in Europe.
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