David Gonzales-Imagn Images

Lakers Announce G League Move Amid 9-Game Win Streak

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Zahid Rashid | Last updated Mar 22, 2026 1:36 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers have found their form at the perfect time and are one of the hottest teams in the league, riding a nine-game winning streak after a 105–104 victory over the Orlando Magic on Saturday night.

Health has been one of the Lakers’ main issues this season, but their star trio of LeBron James, Luka Doncic , and Austin Reaves has been available recently, and the results have been clear.

While James and Reaves have both contributed effectively, Doncic has led the charge, averaging 40.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 7.4 assists, along with 2.6 steals per game, while shooting 49/40/77 splits over the last nine games.

Luka Doncic reacts after scoring a basket against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center.Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

With Saturday’s win, the Lakers have improved to 46–25 and sit third in the Western Conference, positioning themselves as one of the favorites to reach the 2026 NBA Finals. They will look to extend their winning streak to double digits on Monday against the Detroit Pistons and have recalled two players from the G League.

Ryan Ward of Lakers OnSI reported that the team has recalled guard Kobe Bufkin and forward Adou Thiero from the South Bay Lakers.

The Los Angeles Lakers have recalled guard Kobe Bufkin and forward Adou Thiero from the South Bay Lakers.
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) March 22, 2026

Bufkin, the 15th overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks in 2023, struggled to break out and joined South Bay in November. In 23 G League games this season, he has averaged 25.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.2 steals while shooting an efficient 51.1 percent from the field and an impressive 42.5 percent from three-point range.

At the NBA level, he has appeared in 11 games for the Lakers, including one start, averaging 3.0 points per game while shooting 28.9 percent from the field and 15.0 percent from beyond the arc.

Thiero, meanwhile, was selected 36th overall last summer out of Arkansas. He is averaging 1.5 points and 1.1 rebounds per game while shooting 47.6 percent from the field in 19 NBA appearances. For South Bay, he has played nine games, averaging 15.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 62.5 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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