Headlines surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers continue to focus on Luka Doncic and his hamstring injury.
The Slovenian star has been ruled out for the remainder of the regular season, with his status beyond that remaining “uncertain.”
While concern lingers at the NBA level, there is a far more positive story unfolding within the organization’s G League affiliate.
The South Bay Lakers are peaking at the right time and building momentum towards a championship push.
Lakers Affiliate South Bay Riding Momentum Into Playoff Run
As the G League regular season came to a close, South Bay surged with a franchise-record 12-game winning streak.
They finished atop the Western Conference with a 26-10 record, narrowly holding off the Mexico City Capitanes in a tight race for first place.
For much of the season, South Bay has been loaded with talent. Two-way players Drew Timme, Nick Smith Jr., and Chris Manon have been consistent contributors, alongside Lakers assignees Bronny James, Adou Thiero, and Kobe Bufkin.
Second-year guard Dalton Knecht has also featured in recent weeks as he looks to regain form following a challenging stretch at the NBA level.
All have contributed to South Bay’s postseason run, with the exception of James.
Timme, in particular, has emerged as the focal point, leading the team with 21 points in a narrow first-round win over the San Diego Clippers.
He shot 8-of-15 from the field, knocked down two three-pointers, and added eight rebounds and six assists in a tightly contested matchup.
With the opening two rounds of the G League playoffs decided in single-elimination format, individual performances have carried even greater weight.
On Friday night, the Lakers’ affiliate delivered again, defeating the Rio Grande Valley Vipers behind another standout performance from Timme.
Drew Timme Continues Dominant Run as South Bay Advances
With a 112-97 victory, the Lakers advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since the 2017-18 season.
Five players scored in double figures, but Timme once again led the way with 26 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
He was highly efficient, shooting 9-of-13 from the field while missing his only attempt from beyond the arc.
Across 21 games for South Bay this season, the 25-year-old is averaging 23.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.5 stocks, while shooting 54.6% from the field and 24.6% from three-point range.
Now in his third professional season after going undrafted in 2023, Timme has established himself as one of the premier big men in the G League.
He began the 2025-26 campaign on a standard G League contract before earning a two-way deal with the Lakers through his performances.
The 6-foot-9 forward has also produced several standout moments at the NBA level.
On January 17, he scored 21 points against the Portland Trail Blazers, showcasing his scoring versatility by going 9-of-12 from the field and knocking down three three-pointers.
His flashes in the NBA, combined with sustained dominance in the G League, suggest Timme is continuing to build a case for a larger role with the Lakers.
For now, he remains at the center of a deep South Bay roster chasing a title.
The South Bay Lakers will face the Stockton Kings in the Western Conference Finals, a best-of-three series set to begin on Sunday, April 5.
Lakers Two-Way Standout Erupts as South Bay Charges Toward Championship