LeBron James Believes in Lakers' Turnaround

NBA Insider Windhorst says James is fully invested in LA's late-season surge.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 12:03pm

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According to NBA insider Brian Windhorst, LeBron James is fully bought into the Los Angeles Lakers' recent turnaround, which has seen the team win 11 of their last 12 games and climb to third place in the Western Conference standings. Windhorst noted that when James believes his team has a real shot at winning the championship, he shows great leadership and dedication, and that appears to be the case with the current Lakers squad.

Why it matters

LeBron's belief and commitment to the Lakers' success is crucial, as his leadership and ability to get his teammates to buy in has often been the difference-maker for his teams in the past. The Lakers' recent hot streak has them in position to make a deep playoff run, but they'll need James to continue setting the tone both on and off the court.

The details

After struggling with injuries for much of the season, the Lakers have found their footing, winning 11 of their last 12 games and defeating teams like the Knicks, Timberwolves, Nuggets, and Rockets. This surge has lifted them from sixth place to third place in the West. While there are still questions about the overall strength of the Lakers' roster, Windhorst says James 'believes in this team' and is fully invested in their success.

  • The Lakers have won 11 of their last 12 games.
  • The team's recent hot streak has lifted them from sixth place to third place in the Western Conference standings.

The players

LeBron James

A 41-year-old NBA superstar and leader of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Brian Windhorst

An NBA insider and reporter who has covered LeBron James since his high school days.

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What they’re saying

“If you've watched LeBron over the decades, there's times you get to a point in the season where you know he doesn't believe in his team...I know it when I see it, LeBron believes in this team.”

— Brian Windhorst, NBA Insider

What’s next

The Lakers will look to continue their strong play and solidify their position in the Western Conference standings as the regular season winds down.

The takeaway

LeBron James' belief and commitment to the Lakers' success is a crucial factor in the team's late-season turnaround. His leadership and ability to get his teammates to buy in has often been the difference-maker for his teams, and that appears to be the case once again as the Lakers position themselves for a deep playoff run.