Is LeBron’s Lakers Window Already Closed? Six Playoff Storylines That Matter

The Lakers are in serious trouble, and that’s just the first domino to fall in a chaotic 2026 postseason. With LeBron James entering year 22 and the team limping into the playoffs, LA’s front office is watching their championship window slam shut in real time. But that’s only one of six massive questions hanging over this year’s tournament.

The Warriors have their own problems. Steph Curry’s recent shooting slump has people wondering if golden State’s dynasty is finally hitting a wall. Meanwhile, the Celtics look unstoppable, the Nuggets are hungry for repeat contention, and dark horses are circling. Every team that made noise during the regular season is either proving they can sustain it or quietly falling apart.

The real intrigue? How the mid-tier contenders respond. Denver’s depth. Boston’s clutch gene. Phoenix’s Suns trio chemistry. Miami’s scrappiness. These six storylines will define who hoists the Larry O’Brien in June—and which franchises blow it when it matters most. Nothing’s guaranteed. Everything’s in play.