The Los Angeles Lakers' 2025-26 season was nothing short of a wild ride—a roller coaster that finally came to a stop Monday night with a Game 4 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the playoffs.
The ending arrived both later and sooner than anyone predicted. Later, because most analysts—including us at the California Post—didn't expect the Lakers to survive the first round after losing Luka Doncic to a hamstring strain and Austin Reaves for the first four postseason games. Sooner, because once they faced the Thunder, fans and experts alike figured they'd steal at least one win. That didn't happen.
But let's not let a tough second-round sweep overshadow a season full of grit, resilience, and surprising success. So how did the Lakers—from the stars to the supporting cast to the coaching staff—grade out? Let's break it down.
The Big Picture: A Season of Survival
LeBron James missed the first 14 games of the regular season—and 22 total—due to sciatica, marking the first time in his legendary career he didn't start a season healthy. Austin Reaves sat out 31 regular-season games and four playoff games. Luka Doncic missed the final stretch of the regular season and the entire playoffs. And yet, somehow, the Lakers won 53 games—their best win total in an 82-game season since 2010-11. They even won a first-round playoff series without their best player on the floor.
The Coaching: A Masterclass in Adaptability
Head coach Darvin Ham and his staff deserve serious credit. Navigating a season with three stars cycling in and out of the lineup—while still securing home-court advantage in the first round—is no small feat. Ham's rotations were tested, his game plans shifted weekly, and he kept the locker room together through the chaos. Grade: A-
LeBron James: The Ultimate Shape-Shifter
James' unprecedented 23rd NBA season was unlike any other in his career. He started the year sidelined with sciatica—the first time he didn't begin a season healthy. From there, he moved through roles like a chameleon: co-second option alongside Reaves behind Doncic, then the second option while Reaves was out, then the third option during the Lakers' best stretch in March, and finally back to the primary option after both Doncic and Reaves went down on April 2. He thrived in every single role, leading the Lakers past the first round and keeping them competitive against the Thunder. Grade: A
The $11 Million 'C' Grade: A Surprising Anchor
Not everyone earned top marks. One player raking in $11 million this season finished with a disappointing 'C' grade. While the Lakers' stars battled injuries and carried the load, this veteran role player struggled to find consistency—especially on defense and in high-pressure playoff moments. For a team that needed every contribution to survive, his middling production felt like a missed opportunity. Grade: C
Final Takeaway
The Lakers' 2025-26 season was a testament to resilience. They weathered injuries, lineup changes, and a brutal playoff draw. They didn't reach the Finals, but they proved that even with their stars banged up, this team has heart. For fans and gear enthusiasts alike, it's a season that reminds us: sometimes the best victories aren't championships—they're the battles you win when everything goes wrong.