The win streak is up to 11. Elite defense and an offense with an MVP-level leader in Cade Cunningham and the best offensive rebounder in the league in Jalen Duren, who is blowing up in front of our eyes. Duren is averaging 25 points on 75% shooting and 12.8 boards over his last five games.

The Los Angeles Lakers (8-4) travel to Smoothie King Center to face the New Orleans Pelicans (2-9) in this Friday NBA matchup.

The Los Angeles Lakers are among the best teams in the Western Conference thus far in the 2025-26 NBA season, even without megastar LeBron James, who has missed the start of the campaign due to sciatica.

LeBron has adapted to every roster, system, and situation — the Lakers won't be any different James was asked about his role with the Lakers after his first practice with the team this season. There was a confidence to the indifference felt by the all-time great.