A Blog devoted to Lakers News, Commentary, and Analysis
Not all regular season games are created equal. Some are measuring stick matchups, where teams can see how they fare against the NBA’s best. That’s exactly the scenario the Lakers were in on Monday night as they hosted the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Not only have the Thunder reached the mountaintop, but they’ve remained […]
28 days ago | 3 reads
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lakers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys. With a move at the trade deadline and a signing in the days after, the Lakers’ […]
28 days ago | 1 read
After losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, the Lakers (32-20) are back at it on their home floor on Tuesday when they take on the San Antonio Spurs (36-16). This is the final match between the teams this season. Start time and TV schedule Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs When: 7:30 p.m. PT, […]
29 days ago | 3 reads
Lots of Baby Lakers have come and gone throughout the years with fans able to cheer them along from afar. But something about Alex Caruso is different. It likely comes down to the fact that it was a self-inflicted mistake that led to him leaving the Lakers, but it just has a different feeling. It’s […]
29 days ago | 2 reads
In a match-up missing two of the league’s best players, the Lakers fought valiantly against the Thunder before coming up short, falling 119-110. After trailing by nine at the break, the Lakers, uncharacteristically, used a strong third quarter to get back into the game. However, Alex Caruso and Jalen Williams, returning from a 10-game absence […]
29 days ago | 4 reads
The Lakers are finally going to start acting like the financial powerhouse they are. New owner Mark Walter is already one of the wealthiest owners in the NBA, a far cry from the Buss family. That wealth can be spent in only a few ways in the NBA, unlike the Dodgers, which Walter also owns. […]
29 days ago | 6 reads
No matter how many different variations the league goes through, shooting will always be at premium value. The Lakers, who sat 21st in the league in 3-point shooting and 23rd in overall makes on the morning of the trade deadline, went and targeted sharpshooter Luke Kennard. They moved veteran guard Gabe Vincent and their final […]
29 days ago | 5 reads
The Lakers (32-19) aim to extend their winning streak to four when they take on the Oklahoma City Thunder (40-13) on Monday. This is the second match-up between the two teams this season. Start time and TV schedule Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder When: 7 p.m. PT, Feb. 9 Where: Crypto.com Arena Watch: Peacock The […]
30 days ago | 4 reads
To the surprise of no one, the latest Laker injury update involves a day-to-day designation. On Saturday, Deandre Ayton was a very late scratch for the Lakers with a knee injury. Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber stepped up in his place, helping the team to a victory over the Warriors. After the game, head coach […]
about 1 month ago | 5 reads
Merriam-Webster defines aggressive as “marked by driving forceful energy or initiative.” Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka defines it a bit differently. The Lakers made just one small move at the trade deadline by bringing in Luka Kennard. With the focus on the offseason and maximizing cap space, the Lakers balked at the idea […]
about 1 month ago | 2 reads
It’s been a season of inactivity for Lakers rookie Adou Thiero. While most young players may not play as they learn and develop in their rookie season, Thiero has been out for the majority of the year due to injuries, the most recent a right MCL sprain suffered on Dec. 30. The team stated that […]
about 1 month ago | 1 read
When the NBA made the schedule, they probably had a much different game in mind than the one that played out on Saturday. On one side, Luka Dončić was out after a recent hamstring injury while, on the other side, Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler both were out. That left Austin Reaves, who was still […]
about 1 month ago | 7 reads
The Lakers moved quickly after the trade deadline to sign their 15th and final player. On Saturday, Shams Charania of ESPN reported that the Lakers were signing Kobe Bufkin to a two-year deal with the second year being a player option. Bufkin had a brief 10-day stint with the Lakers, playing rotation minutes in two […]
about 1 month ago | 3 reads
With both teams missing stars, the Lakers controlled much of the second half of Saturday’s game against the Warriors, earning a 105-99 win. Luka Dončić and Steph Curry each missed the game due to injury while Austin Reaves remained under a minutes restriction. As a result, a host of unlikely suspects stepped up for both […]
about 1 month ago | 6 reads
The Lakers might be finishing up the first half of their season without Luka Dončić. On Thursday, Luka limped off the floor late in the first half with what the team described as left leg soreness. He was ruled out for Saturday’s game against the Warriors and prior to the contest, head coach JJ Redick […]
about 1 month ago | 2 reads
The journey Dalton Knecht has gone on over the last 18 months has been wild. After starting his career on fire and widely being regarded as one of the steals of the draft, the rescinded trade saga played out, leaving him in an awkward spot the rest of the season. But the ongoing trend that […]
about 1 month ago | 3 reads
The Lakers look set to finally start flexing their new financial muscle. While a salary cap will limit how much new owner Mark Walter can spend on players, there is no salary cap on front-office hires. After radio silence on the Lakers making any moves in that regard, it sounds like the team is set […]
about 1 month ago | 1 read
The Lakers homestand continues on Saturday afternoon when they take on the Golden State Warriors. Los Angeles looks to tie the season series against their Pacific Division foe. Start time and TV schedule Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors When: 5:30 p.m. PT, Feb. 7 Where: Crypto.com Arena Watch: ABC The Lakers’ recent victory over the […]
about 1 month ago | 4 reads
UPDATE: Luka Dončić has been downgraded to out vs. the Warriors due to a left hamstring strain. Luka injured his leg during LA’s recent game against the Sixers and had to exit the contest. While it’s not good that Luka will be missing action, the overall sentiment seems to be that his injury won’t force […]
about 1 month ago | 3 reads
Maxi Kleber is far down the list of impactful players on the Lakers roster. He is often only playing during garbage time and doing little during those minutes to make a compelling case for extended play. However, against the Sixers, Kleber had his best performance as a Laker. With Jaxson Hayes suspended for one game, […]
about 1 month ago | 1 read
If there’s one thing the Lakers need to improve on this year, it’s shooting. LA makes only 34.9% of its 3-point attempts, ranking 21st in the NBA. One player won’t magically fix this team issue, but the Lakers believe they took a step in the right direction by trading Gabe Vincent for Luke Kennard. After […]
about 1 month ago | 2 reads
Order has been restored in the NBA universe. After a weird time where it felt like we were in the upside down, the Lakers and Grizzlies are back to their rightful places. For those unaware, many years ago, the former fearless leader of the site, Harrison Faigen, once expertly pointed out that the Grizzlies had […]
about 1 month ago | 9 reads
The NBA trade deadline went off the rails Tuesday, and it still hasn’t recovered. Jaren Jackson Jr. is now on the Jazz. Anthony Davis is now on the Wizards?! Darius Garland is on the Clippers? James Harden is a Cavalier? And the Sixers gifted the defending champions Jared McCain so they could duck the luxury […]
about 1 month ago | 5 reads
LOS ANGELES — In the NBA world, it feels like an eternity since Austin Reaves burst out of the gate to open the season. The conversations were about his All-NBA candidacy with an All-Star appearance seemingly a given. However, a pair of calf injuries means that nearly two months had passed since Reaves had his […]
about 1 month ago | 4 reads
For the better part of three quarters of this game, it felt like the typical “first home game after a long road trip” performance from the Lakers. They lacked energy, focus and their superstar as Luka Dončić left the game late in the first half due to injury. Then, everything flipped in the third quarter […]
about 1 month ago | 1 read