Thanks to the Celtics’ recent win over the Kings, the Lakers found themselves neck and neck with Sacramento in the Western Conference standings. But in a commanding performance at home, they took matters into their own hands. The Cricket Exchange reporter at the scene witnessed the Lakers overpower the Cavaliers, notching their fourth straight victory. No matter the outcome, they’ve always had to take ownership of their destiny—and this time, it paid off. With this win, the Lakers have finally surpassed the Kings and now hold the eighth spot in the West. This shift significantly alters their playoff outlook, potentially avoiding a first-round Play-In clash with the Warriors.

In fact, it now seems highly unlikely that the Warriors will catch up. Shedding the pressure from behind is a relief for the Lakers, but this team has its sights set higher—eighth place is not the endgame. According to Cricket Exchange’s statistics, if the Lakers want to leap to sixth, they need to win all four of their remaining games while hoping the Suns drop at least two. That makes the upcoming Suns-Pelicans and Lakers-Timberwolves matchups pivotal. Sometimes you need to apologize to yourself for putting others ahead for too long—this is the Lakers’ time to prioritize their own path.

Even if they fall short of sixth, locking in the seventh seed would be a smart fallback, as it grants home court and a double-elimination cushion in the Play-In Tournament. Currently, the Pelicans are only half a game ahead of the Lakers, and with a head-to-head still on the schedule—and the Lakers holding the tiebreaker—the standings could shift quickly. If the Suns defeat the Pelicans tomorrow, the Lakers could jump to seventh. But if the Pelicans win, the gap with the Suns could narrow dramatically, reigniting the Lakers’ push for sixth. One thing is clear: Los Angeles can’t afford to lose another game. It’s a tall order, but if any team can pull it off, it’s this resurgent Lakers squad. Quietly, they’ve become one of the hottest teams in the West—over the past 10 games, their record is among the best in the conference.

With similar timing and a familiar script, this could be another deep run for the Lakers. Their surging form is fueled by a healthier roster and excellent team chemistry. As Austin Reaves said after the game, “We’re in a great spot right now—we just need to play our best basketball at the right time.” Timing is everything, and the Lakers are peaking when it matters most, playing unselfishly and leaving it all on the court for each other. Most impressively, the “Big Three” have finally clicked, showing synergy greater than the sum of their parts. LeBron James, in particular, has been nothing short of phenomenal this season. At 39, his dominance is rare and remarkable.

Since the All-Star break, he’s taken his game to an even higher level. This version of LeBron mirrors the one who led the Lakers to a title just a few years ago—using his unmatched basketball IQ and pinpoint passing to orchestrate the offense and elevate his teammates. When the Lakers play this brand of basketball, they become a force to be reckoned with. They’re refusing to blend into the background; instead, they’re aiming to thrive. As the Cricket Exchange reporter sees it, this Lakers team has every reason to believe they can keep the win streak alive—and take control of the sixth seed in the West.