The Los Angeles Lakers are gearing as much as make a run by way of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, and franchise legend Magic Johnson is worked up about it.
The Los Angeles Lakers at the moment occupy the No. 3 seed within the West with a 46-29 report. Whereas they’ve already secured a postseason spot, they’re nonetheless just a few wins away from confirming themselves as a top-six facet. Their current xx-xx win over the Houston Rockets was an essential contribution to that trigger.
After a slide in type brought on by accidents to LeBron James and Rui Hachimura, the Lakers are rolling as soon as once more. They’ve received their final three video games, with Luka Doncic lastly wanting snug with the crew’s offense.
As they battle for seeding, they’ll begin placing a watch on the Playoffs. With below a month to go, that is the time for JJ Redick to concoct the proper plan for a possible title run. He has the help of followers and legends who assume this roster can obtain one thing particular.
Lakers legend and five-time champion Magic Johnson took to social media to commend the Lakers after their current win over the Rockets. He particularly talked about two role-players, Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent, for his or her large 20-point contributions.
“Laker Nation, I’m actually excited in regards to the excellent play from our bench these days. Each Gabe Vincent and Dorian Finney-Smith had six threes and ended up with 20 factors within the win versus the Rockets. If they’ll maintain hitting threes at that tempo, the Lakers could have a deep run within the Playoffs!”
Finney-Smith stuffed the statsheet in that win with 20 factors, six rebounds, three assists, two steals, and three blocks. In the meantime, Vincent contributed 20 factors and 4 rebounds.
These stints had been desperately wanted because the Lakers’ Huge Three struggled. LeBron James had 16 factors, Luka Doncic had 20 factors, and Austin Reaves had 12 factors in a subpar exhibiting.
With out Finney-Smith and Vincent, the Rockets may’ve edged out that win. What’s exceptional is that they each had impactful defensive performances to enrich their offensive outbursts. They don’t want to do that each sport, nevertheless it’s nice to see that they’ll do that when the crew wants it most.
Dorian Finney-Smith is one in every of Luka Doncic’s closest teammates, with each rising collectively on the Dallas Mavericks. Whereas Finney-Smith was traded away in 2023, he was reunited with Doncic in LA, with each being midseason acquisitions.
Doncic is aware of Finney-Smith is at his finest when taking pictures with confidence. He needed to instill that in him earlier than the win over the Rockets.
“I simply informed him at this time, if you happen to don’t need to shoot it, I’ll shoot it… He talks **** in observe when he shoots with me. So I don’t know why he doesn’t need to do it within the sport.”
“These gamers you want on a crew. By no means complain. You may play 48 minutes, play zero, he’s by no means going to say a factor. And he’s a fighter, man. I at all times beloved him. I at all times love how he performs, and I’m simply comfortable to be reunited with him.”
DFS knocked down six three-pointers towards the Rockets, a season-high for him since becoming a member of the Lakers. Dorian was at his finest alongside Doncic in Dallas, and if he can replicate that manufacturing in LA within the postseason, the Lakers can be terrifyingly good.
