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Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton posts 20 points, 13 rebounds
Sun, Dec 14, 2025, 5:02 PM
Deandre Ayton amassed 20 points (10-of-11 FGs, 0-of-2 FTs), 13 rebounds, two steals and one blocked shot in Sunday's win over the Suns.
Analysis: Ayton finished Sunday's victory with his tenth double-double of the season, halfway to his total for the entire 2024-25 campaign. So far, the move to Los Angeles has gone well for the 7-footer, who has been close to a top-50 player in eight- and nine-cat formats. As long as Ayton remains healthy, he's well-positioned to offer reliable fantasy value. |
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LeBron James LeBron James records 26 points, eight turnovers
Sun, Dec 14, 2025, 5:02 PM
LeBron James finished Sunday's win over the Suns with 26 points (8-of-17 FGs, 9-of-14 FTs), thre rebounds, four assists, two steals, two blocks and one three-pointer.
Analysis: LeBron had far from a vintage performance on Sunday, but the good news for him is that the Lakers avoided blowing a game that they led by as much as 19. He was responsible for a game-high eight turnovers, and there were moments when it appeared that Dillon Brooks would get the best of him. But James made two of four free throws in the final 12 seconds to help the Lakers escape with the 116-114 victory, moving their record to 9-0 after a loss this season. The Lakers begin a two-game Week 9 on Thursday against the Jazz. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? scores game-high 29 points vs. Phoenix
Sun, Dec 14, 2025, 5:01 PM
Luka Don?i? accounted for 29 points (7-of-25 FGs, 13-of-14 FTs), three rebounds, six assists, one steal and two three-pointers in Sunday's win over the Suns.
Analysis: In what was a ragged basketball game, Don?i? and the Lakers did enough to escape Phoenix with the win. While the point guard recorded solid points and assist numbers, he was inefficient. In addition to shooting 28 percent from the field, Don?i? was responsible for six of the Lakers' 21 turnovers. However, fantasy managers are well aware of how rostering Don?i? can affect the turnover category. The Lakers play two games in Week 9, starting with the Jazz on Thursday. |
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Marcus Smart LAL starts Don?i?, Smart, LeBron, Hachimura, Ayton
Sun, Dec 14, 2025, 1:38 PM
NBA Lineups
Luka Don?i?, Marcus Smart, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton will start Sunday's game against the Suns.
Analysis: Sunday's game will be the Lakers' first since losing Austin Reaves to a mild calf strain in Wednesday's loss to the Spurs. Smart will fill the void in the starting lineup, and he may be able to provide deep-league value playing off of Luka and LeBron. That's the lone change to the starting lineup. |
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Maxi Kleber Maxi Kleber (back) ruled out Sunday vs. Phoenix
Sat, Dec 13, 2025, 1:13 PM
Dave McMenamin
Maxi Kleber (back) is out for Sunday's game against the Suns.
Analysis: Kleber will be inactive for a third straight game as he deals with a lumbar muscle strain. His continued absence does not affect fantasy basketball, as he is usually on the back end of the Lakers' rotation when available. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves (calf) to miss at least one week
Fri, Dec 12, 2025, 1:05 PM
Dave McMenamin
Austin Reaves (calf) will be re-evaluated in one week.
Analysis: Reaves has been diagnosed with a mild left calf strain and will be re-evaluated in one week. His absence significantly affects fantasy basketball and the Lakers' rotation, creating an opening in the team's starting lineup. Marcus Smart and Gabe Vincent are candidates to fill the void, with the former being the more likely choice due to what he brings to the table defensively. Reaves' absence also means increased usage for Luka Don?i? and LeBron James. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? has 35 points in loss to Spurs
Wed, Dec 10, 2025, 7:22 PM
Luka Don?i? had 35 points (11-of-24 FGs, 10-of-15 FTs), five rebounds, eight assists, one steal and three three-pointers against the Spurs on Wednesday.
Analysis: Don?i? had another excellent game, his second since missing two games to be present for the birth of his second child. The 26-year-old point guard dropped 35 points against the Spurs after recording his second triple-double of the season against the 76ers on Sunday. He's been an elite fantasy option in recent weeks. |
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LeBron James LeBron James has 19/15/8 line in loss to Spurs
Wed, Dec 10, 2025, 7:17 PM
LeBron James had 19 points (7-of-14 FGs, 5-of-6 FTs), 15 rebounds, eight assists and three blocks against the Spurs on Wednesday.
Analysis: James, coming off a 29-point performance in a win over the 76ers on Sunday, was just as good but in different ways against the Spurs Wednesday. The 40-year-old was just two assists shy of a triple-double with 19 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists. After an eight-point performance against the Raptors last Thursday, LeBron turned back the clock as we've seen him do countless times over the course of his career. |
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Maxi Kleber Maxi Kleber (back) out Wednesday vs. Spurs
Wed, Dec 10, 2025, 11:37 AM
Maxi Kleber (back) is out for Wednesday's game against the Spurs.
Analysis: Kleber was initially listed as questionable with a back injury. The 33-year-old power forward is set to miss the contest, but his absence doesn't significantly impact fantasy basketball. |
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Maxi Kleber Maxi Kleber (back) questionable vs. San Antonio
Tue, Dec 9, 2025, 2:46 PM
NBA Injury Report
Maxi Kleber (back) is questionable to play against the Spurs on Wednesday.
Analysis: Kleber's role has been minimal when the rest of the roster is healthy, which is the case for Wednesday's game. His absence won't have much of an impact on the rest of the rotation. |
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Marcus Smart Marcus Smart (back) off injury report vs. Spurs
Tue, Dec 9, 2025, 2:44 PM
NBA Injury Report
Marcus Smart (back) is not on the injury report for Wednesday's game against the Spurs.
Analysis: Following a six-game absence, Smart will return to the lineup for Wednesday's NBA Cup quarterfinal game. Smart had previously said he planned to play in this game, so this lines up. He'll play a large reserve role, though that won't be enough time for him to make much of an impact in fantasy basketball. However, with only two games being played that day, he is at least worth consideration. |
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Marcus Smart Marcus Smart (back) planning to play Wednesday
Tue, Dec 9, 2025, 10:06 AM
Mike Trudell
According to Lakers beat reporter Mike Trudell, Marcus Smart (back) plans to play in Wednesday's NBA Cup matchup with the Spurs.
Analysis: âBack is feeling good. Felt good in practice today ... I'm gonna give it a shot tomorrow and see how it feels,â said Smart. The veteran guard should be considered probable for Wednesday's tilt with the Spurs after missing the Lakers' last six games. |
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Rui Hachimura Rui Hachimura contributes 17 points, six boards
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 4:07 PM
Rui Hachimura accumulated 17 points (7-of-12 FGs), six rebounds, one assist and three three-pointers in Sunday's win over the 76ers.
Analysis: Hachimura's 17 points were the most he's scored in a game since November 10, when he dropped 21 in a win over the Hornets. While he is playing good minutes, averaging just over 33 per game, playing in a lineup headlined by Luka Don?i?, LeBron James and Austin Reaves limits Rui's fantasy ceiling and floor. He's ranked just inside the top-200 in eight- and nine-cat formats, which explains why Hachimura is rostered in 19 percent of Yahoo! leagues. |
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Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton doesn't miss, scores 14 points
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 4:07 PM
Deandre Ayton accounted for 14 points (7-of-7 FGs), 12 rebounds, two assists, one steal and one blocked shot in Sunday's win over the 76ers.
Analysis: With the Lakers' âbig threeâ of Luka Don?i?, LeBron James and Austin Reaves available, Ayton's scoring opportunities were bound to take a hit. The seven field-goal attempts were the fewest for the 7-footer in a game that he's played at least 25 minutes since a November 12 loss to the Thunder. But he made all of them, in his most accurate performance of the season. Add in the rebounds, and Ayton finished with his ninth double-double of the season. |
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LeBron James LeBron James comes up big late, finishes with 29
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 4:06 PM
Law Murray
LeBron James tallied 29 points (12-of-17 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), seven rebounds, six assists, one steal, one block and four three-pointers in Sunday's win over the 76ers.
Analysis: Despite a rough start to the week, rumors of LeBron's demise may have been greatly exaggerated. Back in the lineup after sitting out Friday's loss to the Celtics, the 40-year-old picked up the slack for the Lakers in crunch time. James shot 5-of-6 from the field in the fourth quarter, including two three-pointers in crunch time that helped the Lakers end their road trip on a high note. With the NBA Cup knockout stages resulting in lighter schedules for the entire league, LeBron and the Lakers will receive some welcome rest, even if they advance to the semifinals with a win over the Spurs on Wednesday. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? records 31/15/11 line vs. Philadelphia
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 4:06 PM
Luka Don?i? finished Sunday's win over the 76ers with 31 points (9-of-24 FGs, 11-of-14 FTs), 15 rebounds, 11 assists, two blocks and two three-pointers.
Analysis: Back with the Lakers after missing two games to be present for the birth of his second child, Don?i? made up for lost time by recording his second triple-double of the season. Over the past two weeks, only Nikola Joki? has provided greater fantasy value than Don?i?, whose season-long production places him third in eight-cat formats. The Lakers return home to host San Antonio in an NBA Cup quarterfinal contest on Wednesday, with the winner advancing to the semifinals on Saturday in Las Vegas. |
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Luka Doncic LAL starts Don?i?, Reaves, Rui, LeBron, Ayton
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 1:11 PM
Los Angeles Lakers
Luka Don?i?, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James and Deandre Ayton will start Sunday's game against the 76ers.
Analysis: Don?i? has rejoined the team after missing two games for personal reasons, while James is back in the lineup after not playing in Friday's loss to the Celtics. Their returns mean that Gabe Vincent and Jake LaRavia head back to the bench, with the latter offering a higher fantasy ceiling when used in a reserve role. |
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LeBron James LeBron James (foot) available Sunday vs. PHI
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 11:58 AM
Ryan Ward
LeBron James (foot) is available for Sunday's game against the 76ers.
Analysis: James is good to go after sitting out Friday's loss to the Celtics, which was the Lakers' second game in as many nights. His return means that Jake LaRavia will come off the bench, lowering his fantasy ceiling. |
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LeBron James LeBron James (foot) upgraded to probable Sunday
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 10:02 AM
Trevor Lane
LeBron James (foot) is now probable for Sunday's game against the 76ers.
Analysis: Initially questionable after sitting out Friday's loss to the Celtics, James is on track to play Sunday evening. His return would bounce Jake LaRavia to the bench, where he offers limited fantasy value. |
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LeBron James LeBron James (foot) questionable Sunday vs. PHI
Sat, Dec 6, 2025, 11:30 AM
Ryan Ward
LeBron James (foot) is questionable for Sunday's game against the 76ers.
Analysis: James did not play in Friday's loss to the Celtics, which was the Lakers' second game in as many nights. The fact that he remains on the injury report is somewhat concerning, but James does have a chance of playing. If he can't, Jake LaRavia will stay in the starting lineup and is worth streaming in deep leagues. |
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