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Lakers guard Luka Doncic scores in front of Indiana Pacers guard Quenton Jackson Friday at Crypto.com Arena. (Gina Ferazzi\/Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n
The Lakers <\/a>128-117 win<\/a>won<\/a>, Luka Doncic<\/a> dominated and then the conversation moved forward, because even though a 128-117 win over the slumping Indiana Pacers on Friday counts all the same in the tight Western Conference standings, it doesn\u2019t say as much about the Lakers as what comes next.<\/p>\n Buoyed by four recent wins over struggling teams, the Lakers are still searching for a statement victory to announce themselves as legitimate contenders in the crowded Western Conference. The Lakers (38-25) are comfortably in sixth place in the West, but just 3-11 against teams that are .600 or better.<\/p>\n Two of the wins came in the first two weeks of the season. The losses have been ugly: an average margin of 19.9 points per defeat.<\/p>\n Now with five of their next six games against teams that are .600 or better \u2014 starting with Sunday\u2019s 12:30 p.m. contest against the New York Knicks \u2014 the Lakers get a chance to prove their potential to make a playoff run.<\/p>\n Lakers guard Austin Reaves drives to the basket as he’s chased by Indiana Pacers guards Quenton Jackson and Aaron Nesmith Friday at Crypto.com Arena. (Gina Ferazzi\/Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n \u201cYou play teams that are playing winning basketball and [have] winning records, it definitely can build some confidence in the group,\u201d guard Luke Kennard<\/a> said Friday. \u201cBut I know even some of the close games we’ve lost just recently, I know we’ve done some really good things. \u2026 We know what we have in the locker room and in this group.\u201d<\/p>\n Even a day and a win later, the Lakers were still ruing Thursday\u2019s road loss in Denver<\/a>. With a chance to jump to fifth place in the standings, they let the Nuggets (39-25) open the game on an 11-point run. Denver opened up a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n But unlike many of their other losses to playoff-contending teams, the Lakers answered Denver\u2019s run. They cut it to one with 2:05 left before the Nuggets held on for the victory.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was a game that we\u2019ve broken throughout the year, in games like that,\u201d coach JJ Redick<\/a> said. \u201cAnd they made a number of runs that went to double digits and we just kept playing and had a chance. \u2026 I\u2019m confident we\u2019re going to find it. How we\u2019re going to find it, that\u2019s where it\u2019s \u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Redick cut off his own thought as he searched for the words.<\/p>\n \u201cYou got to figure it out on a daily basis sometimes,\u201d the coach concluded with a tight smile.<\/p>\n Lakers center Jaxson Hayes scores at the rim in front of Indiana Pacers guard Ben Sheppard Friday at Crypto.com Arena. (Gina Ferazzi\/Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n The Lakers figured it out Friday behind a dazzling 44-point performance from Doncic, who leads the NBA with 10 40-point games this season. The NBA\u2019s leading scorer didn\u2019t even play during the fourth quarter of the blowout.<\/p>\n Doncic\u2019s brilliance was more than enough against the bottom-feeding Pacers, who, at 15-48, are playing more for lottery position than postseason hopes. But the Knicks (41-23) have won four of their last five games, including convincing wins over San Antonio and Denver. The only recent loss was a three-point defeat to Oklahoma City.<\/p>\n Lakers forward LeBron James<\/a> is expected to be available for Sunday\u2019s marquee game after injuring his elbow late in the loss to the Nuggets and missing Friday\u2019s game. Centers Deandre Ayton (left knee soreness) and Maxi Kleber (lumbar back strain) are day-to-day.<\/p>\n Led by Jalen Brunson\u2019s 26.2 points and 6.5 assists per game, the Knicks have the NBA\u2019s third-best offense. Conversely, the Lakers are 21st in defensive rating.<\/p>\n The Lakers emphasized the importance of team defense all season, but Marcus Smart<\/a> is \u201cthe only one that consistently is just doing what he’s supposed to do\u201d on defense, Redick said Friday. Sometimes the former defensive player of the year is forced to overcompensate for his teammates\u2019 mistakes.<\/p>\n Doncic\u2019s defensive lapses are magnified, especially with the team\u2019s recent inconsistencies. But Doncic\u2019s oft-criticized defense has provided some bright spots, Redick said.<\/p>\n When he switches onto the ball, Doncic gives up the lowest number of points per possession among the Lakers’ perimeter players, Redick said. He led the Lakers in rebounding Friday with nine boards, all defensive. Doncic had both of the team’s blocks against the Pacers.<\/p>\n \u201cHe’s shown that he can contain the basketball,\u201d Redick said of Doncic\u2019s defense. \u201cHe’s obviously one of the best wing defensive rebounders in the NBA. He’s able to generate steals and deflections. And, with some prodding, he’s taking charges as well.\u201d<\/p>\n Doncic has drawn 11 charges this season, the most for a single year in his NBA career.<\/p>\n Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things Lakers.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Lakers](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/56ebe9ff729744455598fb3f7c946cb8.jpeg\"\/)
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