One of the most talked-about narratives surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers this season has been the criticism that their big three – Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James – have struggled to elevate the team.
However, during this last stretch of the season, it seems that the three are finally clicking together, and it’s translating into wins and higher morale for the Lakers.
Advertisement
And NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki has taken notice. The trio has proven their mettle in the clutch, as evidenced by the team’s 22-7 record in such games. For the Dallas Mavericks icon, they could be a dangerous weapon they can rely on during the postseason.
“The Big 3 is healthy, really, for the first time. I think they’re sort of kind of finding their roles,” Nowirzki said on NBA on Prime. “I think that they’re doing really well…and is that a team you really want to see in the playoffs with three guys that can decide the game and take over down the stretch?”
The young duo’s brilliance
Currently, the Lakers are in third place in the Western Conference with a 48-26 record. They have won 11 of their last 12 games and are on pace for another 50-win season. This late-season success has been driven by the team’s collective commitment to embrace their roles, starting with Doncic and Reaves.
Advertisement
This season, Doncic is averaging a league-best 33.7 points on 47.6 percent shooting, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists. Recently, he posted 40.7 points during a six-game road stretch, a historic statline last logged by Michael Jordan.
Although he has dropped to fourth in the latest MVP rankings, Nowitzki could not help but be impressed. He believes that no one would want to see this version of him in the playoffs.
“Luka has been playing incredible basketball,” Nowitzki said. “On fire for weeks now… He’s got his stepback working, and when the stepback works, watch out, all the teams, ’cause then he’s basically unguardable.”
Advertisement
Meanwhile, his partner-in-crime and new golf rival, Reaves, has been averaging 23.6 points on 49.3 percent shooting, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists, embracing his second option role to Doncic.
LeBron’s sacrifice
Some claim that the 41-year-old James is holding the young duo back, leading to one outrageous narrative: that the Lakers are better without the four-time champion. However, his solid averages of 20.9 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.7 assists say otherwise.
Advertisement
“LeBron has been doing a great job, kind of stepping back, letting the younger two kind of carry the offense,” Nowitzki said. “He’s still the best transition player. He’s a great hub still. He’s a great off-the-ball player. He’s got the brightest IQ out there to make incredible plays when the ball comes to him, but he just makes everything so much easier for the rest.”
Another improvement that Nowitzki noted was the Lakers’ defense. It has been one of their most obvious flaws this season, and it has cost them many games and drawn heavy criticism from the media.
But now, they have turned a corner in this area. From ranking 23rd on defense to climbing to 12th after the All-Star break, the Lakers have made strides on that end. Everyone is doing their part, including Doncic, who has often been criticized for slacking off on defense.
Advertisement
“I’ve been impressed. Defensively, they’re mixing it up…they kind of get away with playing these subpar defenders, but they’re mixing it up. They’re mixing up the zone. They’re matching up out of it. They’re decent on the man-to-man,”Nowitzki explained.
The Lakers have eight games left. They will look to sustain their momentum and enter the postseason with confidence and a clear goal: to win it all.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Mar 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.