The Los Angeles Lakers continued their strong push toward the postseason with a win over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night. The victory marked their third straight win, moving them up to the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference with just 14 games left in the regular season.

Despite missing four-time MVP LeBron James, who was sidelined for a fifth straight game with a groin injury suffered on March 8 against the Boston Celtics, LA has found momentum thanks to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. The duo stepped up once again against Denver, with Doncic delivering 31 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, while Reaves added 22 points, five rebounds, and eight assists to fuel the Lakers’ win.

Although the Lakers have found a winning rhythm of late, James’ absence was deeply felt early on, particularly during their four-game losing streak on the road. His impact on defense has been notably missed, with the Lakers often looking disorganized on that end of the floor.

Head coach JJ Redick acknowledged just how valuable James is to the team, sharing a direct message to the NBA’s all-time leading scorer before their matchup against Denver.

“You know who we miss? We miss your voice on the defensive end,” Redick said to James after his fifth straight missed game.

Even at 40 years old, James continues to defy expectations in his 22nd NBA season, remaining one of the league’s top performers. The 21-time All-Star is averaging 25.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game while shooting 51.7% from the field.

With the playoffs fast approaching, the Lakers are hoping to have James back in the lineup sooner rather than later. According to Redick, the superstar is currently listed as day-to-day, and LA will be eager for his return as they gear up for a deep playoff run in an ultra-competitive Western Conference.