The Los Angeles Lakers’ 2025-26 NBA season got off to a tough start.
The Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Golden State Warriors on their home floor, exposing many of their flaws.
Luka Doncic led the team with 43 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists. Austin Reeves also had a good showing with 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 9 assists.
But outside of those two, the Lakers got little offensive production from the rest of the supporting cast.
The Lakers have a big problem with LeBron James set to miss the first month of the season.
If the Lakers can’t get any offensive production beyond Doncic and Reaves, they’re destined to struggle in the deep Western Conference.
Chandler Parsons warned that the Lakers can’t rely on 40-year-old LeBron to be their savior.
“I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news here. This is one game, but it’s not (enough). There are obvious issues with our offensive production.”
“Aside from Luka and Austin Reeves, who struggled early and ended up with great stat lines, where do they get their offensive power from outside of those two guys?
“If you’re saying LeBron James, who’s 41 years old (turns 41 in December), is the light at the end of the tunnel and this is the savior that’s going to show up after 15 games, I don’t know if that’s going to move the needle for them considering how good the Western Conference is.
“The Lakers have too many good teams to compete with.”
LeBron missed the start of an NBA season for the first time in his 23-year career.
James is currently recovering from a sciatica injury and is not expected to return until mid-November.
James was on the sideline for the Lakers’ first game of the regular season and didn’t seem impressed.
He appeared to lose motivation and check out as fans on social media speculated that his heart was no longer with the Lakers.