How do the Lakers position themselves to have a successful postseason run? It begins at home.

The road to the NBA postseason is a journey full of ups and downs. For the Los Angeles Lakers, a team steeped in championship pedigree and historical success, the quest to return to the NBA Finals is always a central focus, and 2025 is no different. With a roster headlined by LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the recently acquired Luka Dončić, the Lakers are undoubtedly one of the most intriguing teams in the league, capable of challenging for an NBA championship. However, as with all teams, success in the postseason depends on various factors, and for the Lakers, one key element of their strategy must be positioning themselves for home-court advantage in the playoffs.

Home-court advantage is often considered a crucial element for success in the NBA postseason. Over the years, the significance of playing in front of a home crowd, in familiar surroundings, and with the comforts of home can provide a team with the emotional and physical edge it needs to make a deep playoff run. The Lakers’ performance at home, particularly in the regular season, plays a pivotal role in their chances of securing this advantage. For the Lakers, positioning themselves for success in the postseason begins at home, and here’s why.

1. The Importance of Home-Court Advantage

In the NBA postseason, teams that secure home-court advantage have the luxury of hosting Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 of a playoff series (assuming the series goes to a seventh game). In an era where the margin for error in playoff series can be razor-thin, having the chance to start a series at home can set the tone and provide a psychological edge. Home-court advantage allows a team to capitalize on the energy of their crowd, their familiar shooting background, and the comfort of sleeping in their own beds. More importantly, it takes away the advantage of the road team, making it harder for visiting teams to steal a game on the road.

Historically, home-court advantage has been an important factor in the Lakers’ success in the playoffs. Of the 17 NBA championships the Lakers have won, a large number of those came with the team benefiting from strong home performances during the regular season. In fact, in some of the Lakers’ most dominant years, such as during their championship runs in 2000, 2001, and 2009, the team had one of the best home records in the league, and that carried over into their playoff success.

In the modern era, with the parity in the NBA and more teams building championship-caliber rosters, the difference between home and away performance has become even more pronounced. The stakes are high, and for a team like the Lakers, making sure that they not only perform well at home but also maximize their home-court advantage is critical to their playoff hopes.

2. LeBron James: Master of the Postseason at Home

The importance of home-court advantage for the Lakers is undoubtedly magnified by the presence of LeBron James. The future Hall-of-Famer has long been known as one of the best playoff performers in NBA history, and while his legacy has been solidified by his incredible postseason runs with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat, his performances with the Lakers have also added to his mythos.

LeBron is no stranger to high-pressure situations in the playoffs, and he’s proven time and time again that he can perform on the biggest stage. The Lakers have reaped the benefits of LeBron’s leadership and playoff prowess, especially during their 2020 championship run, when he led the team to a title in the NBA’s “bubble” in Orlando. While his performances on the road have been stellar, playing at home is something that has always seemed to bring out the best in LeBron. The electricity of the Staples Center (soon to be renamed to the Crypto.com Arena) crowd and the ability to play in familiar surroundings is something LeBron has embraced throughout his career.

In the 2025 postseason, LeBron will be looking to replicate that magic once again. With the right support from his teammates, particularly in the form of Luka Dončić and Anthony Davis, LeBron will undoubtedly be looking to give the Lakers the advantage of home-court in order to take down the elite teams of the Western Conference. For LeBron, securing home-court advantage could be the key to pacing himself throughout a potentially grueling playoff run, ensuring that he has enough left in the tank for a deep postseason push.

3. Maximizing Home Games: A Complete Team Effort

While LeBron James will undoubtedly be the focal point for the Lakers’ postseason success, a championship team needs to be built on the foundation of a complete team effort. For the Lakers to position themselves for a deep playoff run, they need every player on the roster to contribute in meaningful ways — especially when they’re playing at home.

A key element of maximizing home games is the ability to play well at both ends of the floor. The Lakers’ defense will be a crucial factor in their success, and when playing in the familiar confines of their home arena, they will need to bring consistent intensity on the defensive end. Anthony Davis, one of the league’s premier defenders, will be critical in guarding opposing stars, protecting the rim, and disrupting opposing offenses. His defensive presence at home will be vital in slowing down high-powered offenses that the Lakers may face in the playoffs, such as the Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, or Phoenix Suns.

On offense, the Lakers’ success at home will depend on a balanced approach, utilizing the playmaking of LeBron and Luka to generate open looks for their teammates. With the addition of Luka Dončić to the roster, the Lakers now have two of the league’s best playmakers. This dynamic duo will allow the Lakers to run more diverse offensive sets, moving the ball and finding easy baskets for role players like D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, and Malik Beasley. When the Lakers play at home, they can rely on their fans to provide the energy needed to keep the offense flowing smoothly.

The key to winning at home isn’t just about LeBron and Luka delivering incredible performances; it’s about having a strong supporting cast. The Lakers must ensure that they have consistent contributions from their role players, as playoff success often hinges on unsung heroes stepping up in big moments. With a deep and versatile roster, the Lakers will need to find the right balance between their stars and supporting players to maximize their performance on home court.

4. Home-Court Advantage as a Psychological Edge

The psychological component of home-court advantage cannot be overlooked, especially in the context of the 2025 Lakers. The presence of LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and Anthony Davis means that the Lakers will have one of the most formidable starting lineups in the league, but it’s the mental edge that they can gain at home that could set them apart from other contenders.

There’s something about the energy of a home crowd that can propel players to perform beyond their usual capabilities. The Lakers have historically benefited from the home support of their passionate fanbase, and that support becomes even more vital in the playoffs, where every game feels like an emotional battle. When the Lakers take the floor at home, they know that the Staples Center will be buzzing with excitement, and that energy can serve as a motivator to give an extra effort on both ends of the floor.

Furthermore, having the comfort of playing at home allows the Lakers to manage their off-court logistics more easily. From being close to their families and friends to being able to recover and rest in their own city, the familiarity of home court can also reduce the physical and emotional toll that the postseason takes. In contrast, the challenges of playing on the road — with long flights, different time zones, and hostile crowds — can create additional distractions that may affect performance. For the Lakers, who have an aging LeBron and a roster that includes players like Russell and Beasley who are still finding their footing in big games, the psychological advantage of home court can play a critical role in getting the best out of every player on the roster.

5. The Road to the NBA Finals Starts at Home

As the Lakers approach the 2025 postseason, their primary goal will be to position themselves as one of the top teams in the Western Conference. A strong finish to the regular season, combined with a consistent and dominant record at home, will allow them to enter the postseason with the momentum and confidence needed to make a deep playoff run. From LeBron James’ leadership to the dynamic pairing of Luka Dončić, the Lakers have the tools to make their mark in the postseason.

But everything starts at home. To secure home-court advantage and set themselves up for success in the playoffs, the Lakers will need to play with consistency, intensity, and teamwork. This begins by protecting their home court during the regular season and building momentum going into the playoffs. Whether it’s leveraging the leadership of their superstars, executing their defensive schemes, or allowing role players to step up in big moments, the Lakers’ postseason success hinges on their ability to thrive in the comfort of their own arena.

For LeBron, Luka, and the rest of the Lakers, the postseason journey is one that will begin at home — and it could ultimately end with the franchise’s 18th NBA championship. By focusing on securing home-court advantage, they put themselves in the best possible position to make a serious run at the title. In the quest for a championship, it all begins at home.