When superstar Luka Doncic went down with a Grade 2 hamstring strain on April 2, many expected the Los Angeles Lakers' playoff hopes to crumble. But according to veteran guard Marcus Smart, Doncic's absence has actually become a secret weapon for the team.
As the Lakers gear up to face the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals, Smart offered a surprising take on how playing without their top scorer has transformed the team's mentality. "When you've got your two top dogs and one of them comes back but you're still missing the other, it creates a sense of urgency across every aspect of our game," Smart explained. "We don't have that one guy we can just lean on, throw the ball to, and watch him go one-on-one for a bucket. That means everybody has to elevate everything they do."
Smart emphasized that this forced elevation has been a blessing in disguise. "You have to be better at scoring, more efficient with your shots, sharper with the ball—you just have to be better overall. You'd think it hurts us not having him, but it actually helps because it pushes guys to a whole new level."
The numbers back him up. In the first-round series against the Houston Rockets, the Lakers showcased remarkable depth. Luke Kennard exploded for a game-high 27 points in Game 1, leading Los Angeles to a 107-98 victory. Rui Hachimura has been lights-out from beyond the arc, shooting an NBA playoff record 50.8% from three-point range. And four-time champion LeBron James reminded everyone why he's still the king, dropping 28 points in Game 6 to close out the series.
Guard Austin Reaves returned for Game 5 after his own Grade 2 oblique strain, adding another weapon to the lineup. But with Doncic still sidelined, the Lakers have proven they can win even when their superstar isn't on the floor.
Facing the Thunder in the second round will be a massive test, but if the first round taught us anything, it's that this Lakers squad isn't just surviving without Doncic—they're thriving. And for a team chasing a championship, that kind of depth and resilience might be exactly what they need.