A Blog devoted to Lakers News, Commentary, and Analysis
UPDATE: After missing the last three games due to injury, Austin Reaves will return against the Hornets on Monday, head coach JJ Redick announced pregame. After playing against the Heat on Sunday, Nov. 2, Reaves sat out the last week with an injury first designated as groin soreness that was later changed to a groin […]
2 months ago | 4 reads
While much of the discussion about the Lakers’ injuries has centered on Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and LeBron James, they aren’t the only ones who have missed time. Gabe Vincent opened the season (controversially) in the starting lineup before suffering an injury midway through the third game of the season. That sprained ankle against the […]
2 months ago | 1 read
The Lakers began their five-game road trip with a disappointing loss against the Hawks. The good news is they can move on from that game and show that this contest was an anomaly when they take on the Hornets. Start time and TV schedule Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Charlotte Hornets When: 4:00 p.m. PT, Nov. 1o Where: Spectrum […]
3 months ago | 4 reads
While JJ Redick’s postgame press conference was quite funny in its brevity, there was something to take away from his answers, too. The most memorable moment came at the end of the presser when, after being asked if he realized during the third quarter that the Lakers weren’t going to win, he said he could […]
3 months ago | 1 read
With the Lakers entering Atlanta as one of the hottest teams in the NBA and the Hawks having Trae Young, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jalen Johnson, Luke Kennard and Kristaps Porzingis all out, it was easy to assume this game would be an LA win. It seems the Lakers felt the same and played accordingly. From the […]
3 months ago | 3 reads
Turns out the Lakers won’t be going 80-2 this season. Even if their win streak wasn’t going to last forever, there were more ceremonious ways for it to end. But even if the Lakers knew firsthand the dangers of playing against a severely undermanned team, they certainly overlooked the Hawks on Saturday and paid a […]
3 months ago | 2 reads
JJ Redick is not someone who handles losses well. He’s already admitted to spending nights alone in his dark basement when the Lakers lose. Saturday, then, probably didn’t do wonders for his mental health. The Lakers looked lackadaisical from the start against the Hawks and a fiesty, undermanned Atlanta team put them to the blade. […]
3 months ago | 2 reads
The Lakers’ five-game win streak was halted in a blowout 122-102 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night. Luka Dončić ended with 22 points, five rebounds and 11 assists but shot 7-17 from the field. Jake LaRavia had 13 points with five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Deandre Ayton pitched 11 points with […]
3 months ago | 3 reads
While the Lakers are finding success seemingly regardless of how many of their Big 3 are out, getting them back on the court together obviously remains a high priority. LeBron James remained in Los Angeles during the Lakers road trip to continue his rehab as he moves closer and closer to a return. Austin Reaves, […]
3 months ago | 1 read
While there were a lot of unfair criticisms lobbied his way, one of the more fair — and persistent — critiques of Luka Dončić has been his defense. Throughout his career, Luka’s defense has come under fire time and time again. While there is no expectation of him being a top defender given his offensive […]
3 months ago | 3 reads
Now in the midst of a five-game winning streak, the Lakers head to the road where they will take on the Atlanta Hawks first on Saturday. This will mark the beginning of a five-game trip away from home, as the Lakers’ undefeated road record will be tested. Start time and TV schedule Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. […]
3 months ago | 2 reads
Luka Dončić, at his core, is just a fun guy. Sure, he’s aiming to be the best player he can be and wants to win as many titles as possible with the Lakers. However, he can do that while also having a good time with his teammates. A notable example of this is his close […]
3 months ago | 2 reads
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Los Angeles Lakers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys. Even with key players out, the Lakers have found a way to keep on stacking wins. That’s what […]
3 months ago | 2 reads
From the moment the Lakers traded for Luka Dončić, this franchise became his. However, it was challenging to establish that, given that he was acquired right in the middle of the NBA season. Now that he has a full season in a Lakers uniform, we are seeing his leadership more and more. In the summer, […]
3 months ago | 2 reads
There are just under five minutes left in the first half and the Lakers are trailing the Wolves by five points. Their defense is a bit scrambled and Austin Reaves is isolated against Julius Randle above the break, shaded towards the left side of the floor. With just nine seconds left on the shot clock, […]
3 months ago | 1 read
Marcus Smart giveth and Marcus Smart taketh away. After being a positive on both ends of the court through the first 47:58.8 seconds of the game on Wednesday against the Spurs, Smart had one heck of a faux pas. During his attempt to end the game with a downcourt pass to Hachimura with 1.2 seconds […]
3 months ago | 1 read
The Spurs put the Lakers to the test on Wednesday night. San Antonio was leading for most of the game and Los Angeles was rallying late in the fourth quarter. However, it wasn’t Luka Dončić highlight play, a Marcus Smart defensive stop or a Deandre Ayton battle underneath, but a pair of Rui Hachimura plays […]
3 months ago | 2 reads
Fresh off a World Series victory, a number of Dodgers were back in LA and in attendance for Wednesday’s Lakers-Spurs showdown. And boy did the players know it. While LeBron James was showing love to Roki Sasaki and Luka Dončić and Rui Hachimura were taking pictures pregame, Deandre Ayton was feeling the nerves. “I ain’t […]
3 months ago | 2 reads
Despite writing an infinite number of Lakers stories daily, I still have a hunger for more. Some say that’s a bad thing. People who have been doing it much longer than I warn me of burnout and insist I scale back if my goal is sustainability and survival in the brutal industry that is sports […]
3 months ago | 2 reads
After stealing Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks at the trade deadline in February, Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka easily could have rested on his laurels this offseason. He could have run back the same group in hopes that a full season with Dončić, LeBron James and Austin Reaves would result in a […]
3 months ago | 2 reads
Everything seems to be coming up Lakers. On the court, they’re in the midst of a five-game win streak led by Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. Off the court, the return of another superstar is nearing. The Lakers announced on Thursday that LeBron James was cleared for basketball activities and would be re-evaluated in one […]
3 months ago | 2 reads
LOS ANGELES – After losing in the playoffs in five games against the Wolves, it was clear the Lakers needed an upgrade at the center position. The franchise viewed Deandre Ayton as a solution to their frontcourt problem and signed him in the offseason. But could he live up to his potential in LA, or would […]
3 months ago | 2 reads
It wasn’t easy, but the Lakers rallied back in the fourth to beat the Spurs 118-117 to extend their winning streak to five. Late in the fourth, the Lakers looked like they were in perfect position to win, until a costly turnover from Marcus Smart and a foul call on Jake LaRavia nearly choked away […]
3 months ago | 4 reads
The Lakers have taken one step forward and another back with their most recent injury report. Austin Reaves will miss his second game in a row due to right groin soreness as the Lakers take on the Spurs, but on the plus side, Los Angeles will have Luka Dončić available. Luka missed the team’s game […]
3 months ago | 2 reads
Since the start of training camp, Lakers head coach JJ Redick has been all about establishing a culture. The team’s motto was labeled as obsession. Redick has spoken about championship habits, even going so far as to place them on a board for all to see at practice. Now with games underway, we’re seeing the fruits of […]
3 months ago | 2 reads