Can the Lakers Still Make the Playoffs? NBA Live Lakers Analysis and Predictions
2025-11-04 19:12
As I sit here watching the Lakers stumble through another fourth-quarter collapse, I can't help but wonder if we're witnessing the final days of this storied franchise's playoff hopes. The math is becoming increasingly brutal - with only 15 games remaining in the regular season and sitting three games below .500 at 34-37, the margin for error has essentially evaporated. What's particularly frustrating from my perspective is that this team has shown flashes of brilliance, like that impressive road win against Milwaukee last week, only to follow it with baffling losses to teams like Houston.
The reference to Gilas' situation in the Fiba Asia Cup actually provides an interesting parallel to consider. Just as that team faces a temporary setback with their tournament schedule, the Lakers are experiencing their own version of suspended animation - stuck in play-in purgatory while trying to rediscover their championship DNA. The difference, of course, is that the Lakers don't have until August to figure things out. Their deadline is now, and the clock is ticking louder with each passing game.
From my years covering the NBA, I've learned that teams facing these kinds of scenarios typically follow one of two paths - they either rally around the pressure or crumble beneath it. LeBron James' recent performances suggest he's not ready to surrender, putting up 38 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists in last night's overtime thriller. But basketball remains a team sport, and Anthony Davis' inconsistent health continues to be the wild card that could either save or sink their season. When AD dominates the paint, this team looks like a legitimate contender. When he's limited or absent, they resemble a lottery team.
The Western Conference standings reveal just how steep the climb remains. Minnesota holds the eighth spot at 36-37, while Utah sits at 35-36 - both within striking distance but requiring the Lakers to essentially win at a 70% clip down the stretch. Having analyzed thousands of NBA games throughout my career, I can tell you that teams in their position typically need around 42-44 wins to secure a play-in berth. That means going 8-7 or better in these final games, which sounds manageable until you consider their remaining schedule includes matchups against Phoenix, the Clippers, and two games against a surging Chicago team.
What gives me cautious optimism, despite all these challenges, is the potential return of key role players from injury. The Lakers' bench has been decimated all season, but getting players like Lonnie Walker back could provide the scoring punch they've desperately needed in second units. Still, I'm concerned about their defensive consistency - they've allowed opponents to shoot 48.7% from the field over their last ten games, which simply won't cut it in must-win situations.
The coaching staff deserves credit for experimenting with different lineup combinations, but Frank Vogel's reluctance to give younger players meaningful minutes continues to puzzle me. In situations like these, sometimes fresh legs and hungry players can provide the spark that veterans can't. I'd love to see more of Austin Reaves in crunch time, as his energy and basketball IQ have impressed me throughout the season.
Looking at their remaining schedule, I count seven games against teams with losing records - those are absolute must-wins. The other eight include challenging but winnable matchups if the Lakers bring their A-game. My prediction? They'll finish 42-40, good enough for the ninth seed and a play-in date with Minnesota. It won't be pretty, and it certainly won't resemble the championship runs we've grown accustomed to seeing from this franchise, but sometimes just making the tournament gives a team the momentum they need to exceed expectations. The Lakers' playoff hopes are hanging by a thread, but in the NBA, sometimes that's all you need for a miraculous turnaround.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
