LeBron James Ignites Late-Season Comeback: LA Lakers Shock NBA with Playoff Push

Fresh off a confidence-boosting 125-101 win over the Sacramento Kings, the Los Angeles Lakers are surging into the season’s midpoint with renewed momentum and an eye on the February trade deadline. LeBron James, who had been listed as questionable with ankle soreness, shook off any doubts by logging 29 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in 34 energetic minutes, delighting a sold-out Crypto.com Arena crowd and answering the biggest pre-game storyline of whether he would suit up. Anthony Davis controlled the paint with 24 points, 13 boards and four blocks, while newcomer Dalton Knecht chipped in 14 points and showcased the spacing the front office has coveted. The victory nudged Los Angeles to 23-17, good for sixth in the tightly packed Western Conference standings. More importantly, it underscored the Lakers’ improving half-court execution: they drilled 16 three-pointers—six from D’Angelo Russell—and held the Kings to 42 percent shooting. Head coach Darvin Ham praised the team’s “defensive connectivity,” noting that the group strung together multiple stops during a decisive 17-3 third-quarter run. With wins piling up, general manager Rob Pelinka is still expected to be active ahead of the trade deadline. League sources indicate the Lakers have explored packages built around salary-filler contracts and draft capital to pursue a “$26-million power trio” of rangy wings who could flank James and Davis, with Knecht emerging as a potential sweetener. One name drawing persistent chatter is Golden State forward Jonathan Kuminga. According to multiple reports, Los Angeles views the explosive 23-year-old as a plug-and-play defensive stopper who could thrive alongside Davis in closing lineups. Talks with the Warriors remain preliminary, but both teams have monitored each other’s rosters since last summer’s brief LeBron-for-stars rumor surfaced. Internally, the Lakers are also celebrating a milestone: James is on pace to become the first player ever to reach 40,000 regular-season points, a record he could break before the All-Star break if he maintains his current 25.4 points-per-game clip. The franchise is planning tributes across digital platforms and in-arena activations that dovetail with his special 23rd-season jersey patch, emphasizing the marketing synergy of an unprecedented longevity feat. Looking ahead, Los Angeles embarks on a three-game road swing against the Jazz, Nuggets and Mavericks—teams that collectively own a 35-14 home record. Ham cited “traveling defense and ball security” as focal points, areas where the Lakers rank 12th and 21st league-wide respectively. A strong trip could vault them into top-four territory in the West and strengthen Pelinka’s ability to negotiate from a position of leverage. Key phrases fans will be googling—“Lakers trade rumors,” “LeBron James injury update,” “Anthony Davis blocks,” “Jonathan Kuminga to Lakers,” and “Los Angeles Lakers standings”—all converge on a single narrative: the 2026 Lakers are not waiting for the offseason. With James defying Father Time, Davis anchoring the defense and the front office armed with assets, the purple and gold are intent on transforming January buzz into June contention.