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How many “worst losses of the season” in a row could the Lakers string together in the coming week, because it seems like they’re trying to do as much.
After a lifeless loss to the Celtics and handing a game away to the Magic, the Lakers went to Phoenix against an undermanned Suns team and blew a double-digit second half lead to lose a third straight. When could this streak end? If they lose to a Steph-, Jimmy-, Kristaps- and, potentially, Draymond-less Warriors team on Saturday, that would be worse.
They then host the tanking Kings and Pelicans in the next two games. We could only be halfway through an impressive run, guys!
So, let’s dive into the loss. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.
Marcus Smart
31 minutes, 13 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, 4-8 FG, 2-5 3PT, 3-4 FT, -3
We were long overdue for a good Marcus game, and he delivered in a couple of ways. He knocked down a couple of important shots in the fourth, but his biggest play was a block at the rim that somehow didn’t count in the box score.
Grade: B+
LeBron James
35 minutes, 15 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 turnover, 7-16 FG, 0-3 3PT, 1-2 FT, +5
These are symptoms of bigger issues offensively, but LeBron has been a bystander more often than not of late. It doesn’t help that his 3-point shot has absolutely cratered this year.
Most of his baskets in this one came in the third quarter when he punished an undersized Suns team with simple baskets at the rim. Those were nice, but he didn’t do much else.
Grade: D
Deandre Ayton
23 minutes, 2 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 foul, 1-3 FG, -24
Well, how did Ayton respond to some jokes and criticism that came out after the article from today? With one of his worst games of the season.
He made countless defensive mistakes by not getting out on shooters early enough on screens, resulting in one flagrant foul and six-point Suns possession.
Ironically, his only basket was a pretty Capela-esque lob.
Grade: F
Austin Reaves
36 minutes, 14 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 4 turnovers, 4 fouls, 5-12 FG, 2-5 3PT, 2-2 FT, +9
Similar to LeBron, Reaves has been relegated to ball-watching too much offensively. He did hit a huge shot to tie the game late, but missed the look to tie the game at the buzzer at the same time.
Grade: D
Luka Dončić
39 minutes, 41 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, 1 foul, 12-21 FG, 6-11 3PT, 11-12 FT, +9
Without a single caveat, Luka was the reason the Lakers got back into the game at the end with his offensive brilliance. He had one of his 3-point shooting games of the season with multiple of those coming down the stretch. Just a brilliant performance offensively from him and the Lakers needed every bit of it.
But I can’t just not mention how bad he was defensively. He lost Colin Gillespie multiple times for threes. Grayson Allen was hunting him in the pick and roll and Luka couldn’t stay in front of him. Don’t get me wrong, he was much, much more good than bad. But there was bad, which is why I can’t give it an A+.
Grade: A
Luke Kennard
21 minutes, 8 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 4-6 FG, 0-1 3PT, -9
It remains extremely funny how positively impactful Luke Kennard has been without taking threes. It’s now just six threes over his last four games and one in the last two. He’s been good for the Lakers and a big upgrade over Gabe Vincent. It’s just funny as to how and why he’s been an improvement.
Grade: B
Jaxson Hayes
21 minutes, 6 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 2 fouls, 2-3 FG, 2-2 FT, +16
A very nice return game for Hayes, who brought a level of energy and activity that Ayton did not. Grabbing eight rebounds in any amount of minutes is a big positive for Hayes, too.
Grade: B+
Jake LaRavia
28 minutes, 11 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 fouls, 3-6 FG, 1-4 3PT, 4-4 FT, -3
Another role player who was due for a good game that had one. LaRavia’s 3-point shooting just isn’t going to come around this year it seems and he still made some mistakes defensively, but he also had a big steal late and was overall good in this one.
Grade: B+
Jarred Vanderbilt
Vando was already teetering on even getting two shifts per night, then he had a horrid sequence in the second quarter where he had a bit of miscommunication defensively with Kennard that allowed Jalen Green to get off a clean, even if very deep, look from three that banked in at the shot clock buzzer. Vando’s ensuing inbound was lackadaisical and stolen, leading to another three from Phoenix.
He did not play after that.
I’m back to the point that I think Thiero should get a couple of games to see if he can provide something.
Maxi Kleber
He logged one second, but set one hell of a screen to free up Reaves for the near game-tying shot.
JJ Redick
JJ made some mistakes in this one. I didn’t think the play he used his challenge on was worth it and he lost it. I also felt he waited multiple possessions too long to call some timeouts, especially in the third quarter.
But I saw criticism of his defensive scheme because of the open looks the Suns had from three. The Lakers did not play zone because they wanted to try to limit Phoenix’s outside shooting. They also wanted the bigs to come out higher to stop the Suns from shooting off screens, too.
Ayton struggled badly on that coverage though, evidenced by his foul on a closeout that led to a six-point possession. Redick then tried to go to a switching lineup, but the Suns would just find Luka and pick on him. There were a couple of instances of overhelping from the Lakers as well, but that’s a trait of a bad defensive team that knows its teammates can’t stay in front of the opponent.
The Lakers have a team that can’t shoot and can’t defend. JJ isn’t innocent but he didn’t build this team.
Grade: C
Thursday’s DNPs: Kobe Bufkin, Dalton Knecht
Thursday’s inactives: Rui Hachimura, Drew Timme, Nick Smith Jr., Bronny James, Adou Thiero, Chris Mañon
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.