With 26 games left in the season, what the Lakers need to do if they want to reach the playoffs

Tonight the LA Lakers have a must-win game as they will be facing the Golden State Warriors, the team that is one seed behind them as the purple and gold are in the 9th seed. The problem is, that LeBron James won't be playing.

With a 30-26 record and a 3-game winning game, the Los Angeles Lakers are entering the last stretch of the season with 26 games to go, but to accomplish the first goal the team has of avoiding the Play-In Tournament, they need to have an impressive winning record on these games.

If the purple and gold want to make it at least to the 6th seed and go straight to the playoffs unlike last year when they played the In-Season Tournament vs. the Timberwolves, the Lakers need at least to have a 19-7 record.

The good news for the Lakers is that most of these games will be played in Los Angeles. LeBron James also said that he expects his ankle treatment to help him get into his best shape for the rest of the campaign.

Austin Reaves believes the break helped the team

"A little time away amid a long season is good for everybody and hopefully we can pick back up where we left off." Said Austin Reaves in the post-practice presser. Reaves is one of the team's starters and leaders who will have to bring their best game in tonight's game against the Warriors if they want to continue on the winning path.