LeBron James says the Western Conference is “incredible.” And the Los Angeles Lakers superstar, potentially in his final months with the team, has revealed what he thinks his group needs as play resumes following the NBA’s All-Star break.
James, named an All-Star for the 22nd time in his 23-year career, sat down with Steve Nash for the latest episode of their Mind the Game podcast. Though the Lakers don’t return to action until Friday night against the city rival Los Angeles Clippers, the 41-year-old is already thinking about how the purple and gold can catch up to the teams playing “great ball” in front of them.
“You know, a lot of people didn’t think we’re going to play good ball,” James said of the fifth-seeded Lakers’ prospects. “We’re playing good ball at times, but the number one important thing of us is back to our health.”
Five games separate the Lakers (33-21) from the San Antonio Spurs (38-16) for the second seed in the West. The Denver Nuggets and the Houston Rockets are also ahead of the Lakers, both teams that James says are playing “good ball.”
LeBron James talking about the health and chemistry for the Lakers
“The West is incredible. So many great teams. Obviously, you got the defending champions with OKC. San Antonio is playing great ball. Houston is playing good ball. Denver playing good ball. Jokic is back. Phoenix… pic.twitter.com/ZUAFBoHTm7
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) February 17, 2026
But James says that recent injuries to Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic have stopped the Lakers from being whole. Keeping those two guards on the hardwood will be “the most important” factor moving forward.
“We finally got healthy, you know, with AR coming back then Luka goes down with the hamstring,” James said. “So, that is going to be the most important for our team.”
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