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LeBron James LeBron James posts 17/5/12 line vs. Chicago
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 5:43 PM
LeBron James recorded a double-double on Thursday with 17 points (8-of-20 FGs), five rebounds, 12 assists and two steals against the Bulls.
Analysis: Since returning from seven-game absence due to a calf injury, James has been quiet as a scorer. He has scored less than 20 points in three of his last four games, and he barely held on to his lengthy streak of double digit games on Wednesday. He'll get things clicking eventually, and he was able to make up for it with 12 dimes on Thursday, which was the most he has had in a game since early February. Unfortunately, the only things people will remember from this game will be LeBron turning it over late and then Josh Giddey hitting the game-winner from half court over James' outstretched hand. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Doncic produces 25/10/7/2/1 line vs. Chicago
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 5:38 PM
Luka Doncic stuffed the stat sheet on Thursday with 25 points (8-of-22 FGs), 10 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, one block and four three-pointers against the Bulls.
Analysis: Doncic wasn't able to extend his streak of 30-point games to five, but he was still able to provide well-rounded production despite a subpar shooting night. It wasn't enough to offset the late-game heroics from Chicago, but it was more than enough to make an impact for fantasy managers. The Lakers will wrap up the week in Memphis on Saturday, and then they'll play four games next week, with a back-to-back on Thursday and Friday. However, Doncic was able to play in this back-to-back for the Lakers, so managers shouldn't stress, especially with LA fighting for playoff positioning. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves scores 30 points in loss to Chicago
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 4:57 PM
Austin Reaves led the Lakers with 30 points (10-of-17 FGs), one rebound, three assists, two blocks and three three-pointers in a 119-117 loss to the Bulls on Thursday.
Analysis: Reaves has been unstoppable recently, and he was able to add another 30-point performance on Thursday, which was his third over the past two weeks. It is worth noting that he tweaked his ankle in a second-straight game, but he was able to return to close out the game. He took advantage of an opportunity to be the hero twice late in the fourth quarter; he extended the Lakers' lead to five with a pair of free throws and hit a layup with with three second left to give them the lead back. Unfortunately, his night was spoiled by some magical moments from Josh Giddey. |
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Dorian Finney-Smith LAL starting Luka, Reaves, LeBron, DFS, Hayes
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 1:39 PM
Los Angeles Lakers
Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Dorian Finney-Smith and Jaxson Hayes will start against the Bulls on Thursday.
Analysis: DFS will start in place of Hachimura, who is sitting out the second night of the Lakers' back-to-back after starting on Wednesday. DFS started the game before that for the Lakers and had 14 points, seven rebounds and four three-pointers in 36 minutes. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Doncic, LeBron James not on injury report
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 8:09 AM
Jovan Buha
Luka Doncic (calf) and LeBron James (groin) are not on the injury report for Thursday's game against the Bulls.
Analysis: Despite playing 38 minutes each in Wednesday's win over the Pacers, Doncic and James are not on the injury report for Thursday's game in Chicago. That's great news for fantasy managers, as the Lakers stars are available. Doncic and James should shoulder their usual workloads as the Lakers look to improve their standing within the Western Conference. |
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Rui Hachimura Rui Hachimura (knee) out Thursday vs. Chicago
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 8:06 AM
Jovan Buha
Rui Hachimura (knee) is out for Thursday's game against the Bulls.
Analysis: After logging 28 minutes as a starter in Wednesday's win over the Pacers, Hachimura will sit out the second game of the Lakers' back-to-back. Dorian Finney-Smith should move into the starting lineup, making him a worthwhile streamer in deep leagues. |
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Jordan Goodwin Shams: LAL converts Goodwin to standard contract
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 5:58 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports the Lakers are converting Jordan Goodwin to a standard contract.
Analysis: While this transaction does not impact fantasy basketball, as Goodwin was already in the Lakers' rotation, it does affect the NBA Playoffs. Two-way contract players are not eligible for the postseason, so addressing Goodwin's status means he will be available. However, with 15 players already under standard contracts, the Lakers must waive someone to free up a spot for Goodwin. |
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Rui Hachimura Rui Hachimura starts, makes five three-pointers
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 4:22 PM
Rui Hachimura shot 4-of-5 from the field and 2-of-2 from the foul line in Wednesday's win over the Pacers, accounting for 14 points, four rebounds, one assist and four three-pointers in 28 minutes.
Analysis: After coming off the bench in his first two games back from the knee injury that sidelined him for nearly one month, Hachimura returned to the starting lineup on Wednesday. Still under a minutes restriction, Rui played 28 minutes and only attempted five shots from the field. However, he made two critical fourth-quarter three-pointers and was 4-of-4 from beyond the arc. Due to Hachimura's minutes restriction, Dorian Finney-Smith (11/3/1/2/1 with three three-pointers) logged 31 minutes despite coming off the bench. The Lakers visit the Bulls on Thursday, which could result in a return to the starting lineup for Finney-Smith. Hachimura should be considered questionable. |
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LeBron James LeBron James scores game-winner vs. Indiana
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 4:21 PM
LeBron James accounted for 13 points (4-of-12 FGs, 5-of-5 FTs), 13 rebounds, seven assists and one steal in 38 minutes in Wednesday's win over the Pacers.
Analysis: James' streak of 1,252 straight games in double figures was in jeopardy, as he entered the fourth quarter of Wednesday's game without a made field goal. He made four during the final frame, with the last being a tip-in as time expired to give the Lakers the win. LeBron has shot 43.5 percent from the field over the past two weeks, a reason why his fantasy value has decreased. However, as he said during his postgame interview, James is good enough to be impactful even if his shot isn't falling. Thursday's game against the Bulls will be his first back-to-back since returning from a strained groin, so fantasy managers should consider LeBron questionable. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves tallies 24 points, five assists
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 4:21 PM
Austin Reaves accumulated 24 points (8-of-16 FGs, 7-of-7 FTs), four rebounds, five assists, one steal and one three-pointer in 36 minutes in Wednesday's win over the Pacers.
Analysis: Reaves has now scored 22 points or more in seven of his last eight outings, with Monday's loss to Orlando being the exception. Over the past two weeks, he has been one of two Lakers offering first-round value in eight- and nine-cat formats, joining Luka Doncic. Regardless of the availability of Luka and LeBron James, Reaves continues to provide excellent fantasy value. The Lakers play two more games during Week 21, starting with the Bulls on Thursday. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Doncic scores game-high 34 points vs. IND
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 4:20 PM
Luka Doncic finished Wednesday's win over the Pacers with 34 points (11-of-21 FGs, 6-of-7 FTs), seven rebounds, seven assists, one block and six three-pointers in 38 minutes.
Analysis: Defensive lapses aside, Doncic finished Wednesday's victory with a solid stat line. This was the third time in five games he's only committed three turnovers, and the five-time All-Star finished one steal shy of a complete stat line. Over the past two weeks, Doncic has offered top-10 value in eight- and nine-cat formats, proving slightly more valuable in the former. However, with the Lakers visiting the Bulls on Thursday, Luka is not guaranteed to be available. He sat out the second game of the team's most recent back-to-back on March 19-20. |
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LeBron James LeBron James, Rui Hachimura available Wednesday
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 12:23 PM
Trevor Lane
LeBron James (calf) and Rui Hachimura (knee) are available for Wednesday's game against the Pacers.
Analysis: James and Hachimura have been cleared to play, and the latter will make his return to the starting lineup. Hachimura is still under a minutes restriction, so fantasy managers should not expect too much from him regarding playing time. Dorian Finney-Smith heads to the bench, where his already low fantasy value takes a hit. |
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LeBron James LeBron James, Rui Hachimura questionable Wednesday
Tue, Mar 25, 2025, 11:18 AM
Ryan Ward
LeBron James (calf) and Rui Hachimura (knee) are questionable for Wednesday's game against the Pacers.
Analysis: LeBron and Hachimura are back on the Lakers' injury report, both listed due to injuries they have been dealing with in recent weeks. In James' case, sitting out Wednesday's game would likely push Jordan Goodwin into the lineup, giving him some streaming value in deep leagues. As for Hachimura, Dorian Finney-Smith has retained his place in the starting lineup, and his minutes will likely increase if Rui cannot play. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves scores 18 points in road defeat
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 3:34 PM
Austin Reaves recorded 18 points (7-of-16 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), six rebounds, four assists and one three-pointer in 36 minutes in Monday's loss to the Magic.
Analysis: Reaves' streak of games with at least 22 points ended at six on Monday, as the Magic kept him in check for most of the night. However, he has been an elite fantasy option over the past two weeks, providing top-10 value in eight- and nine-cat formats. Of course, some of those games were played without LeBron James, so the expectation was that Reaves' numbers would take a hit once he returned. While the scoring will be impacted, Reaves is a talented player who can compensate for that hit with improved production in other categories. |
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Dorian Finney-Smith Dorian Finney-Smith hits four three-pointers
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 3:34 PM
Dorian Finney-Smith tallied 14 points (5-of-7 FGs), seven rebounds, two steals and four three-pointers in 35 minutes in Monday's loss to the Magic.
Analysis: Finney-Smith has made at least three three-pointers in three of his last four outings, with Saturday's loss to the Bulls being the exception. Being a starter raises his fantasy ceiling, especially with Rui Hachimura still under a minutes restriction. Hachimura played 24 minutes on Monday, finishing with five points, three rebounds and one steal. Whether or not JJ Redick sticks with this lineup for the rest of the fantasy season remains to be seen, but deep-league managers who have Finney-Smith rostered should hold onto him for now. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Doncic records 32/7/7/1 line vs. Orlando
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 3:34 PM
Luka Doncic amassed 32 points (9-of-23 FGs, 10-of-11 FTs), seven rebounds, seven assists, one steal and four three-pointers in 38 minutes in Monday's loss to the Magic.
Analysis: While Doncic did not have a great night shooting the ball, he did keep the turnovers in check. After racking up 13 in his two prior appearances, the Lakers guard only had three on Monday. Over the past two weeks, Doncic has been a top-5 player in eight-cat formats and top-15 in nine-cat. The most significant concern for Luka managers during Week 21 is the Wednesday/Thursday back-to-back against the Pacers and Bulls. He has played both ends of one of the Lakers' last three back-to-backs, so Doncic could only be available for two of the Lakers' final three games of the week. |
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LeBron James LeBron James tallies 24 points, eight assists
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 3:33 PM
LeBron James accounted for 24 points (9-of-18 FGs, 6-of-7 FTs), six rebounds and eight assists in 38 minutes in Monday's loss to the Magic.
Analysis: After logging 31 minutes in his first game back from a strained groin on Saturday, LeBron played 38 against the Magic. While he did not record any defensive stats, the offensive numbers were recorded efficiently, with the 40-year-old shooting 50 percent from the field and only committing two turnovers. The Lakers will play three more road games during Week 21, starting with a midweek back-to-back against the Pacers and Bulls. |
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LeBron James LeBron James, Rui Hachimura available Monday
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 11:57 AM
Mike Trudell
LeBron James (groin) and Rui Hachimura (knee) are available for Monday's game against the Magic.
Analysis: James and Hachimura have been upgraded from probable to available, meaning the Lakers will have their full rotation in Orlando. The latter will likely be under a minutes restriction, meaning he would come off the bench. Dorian Finney-Smith would remain in the starting lineup in that scenario. |
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Rui Hachimura Rui Hachimura (knee) now probable vs. Orlando
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 11:22 AM
Dave McMenamin
Rui Hachimura (knee) has been upgraded to probable to play against the Magic on Monday.
Analysis: Hachimura logged 18 minutes and come off the bench on Saturday after missing almost a month with this knee issue. He was initially listed as questionable, but now he is expected to suit up against Orlando. He'll likely see a limited role off the bench once again. |
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Rui Hachimura Rui Hachimura (knee) questionable Monday vs. ORL
Sun, Mar 23, 2025, 12:21 PM
Jovan Buha
Rui Hachimura (knee) is questionable for Monday's game against the Magic.
Analysis: Hachimura returned to the Lakers' rotation on Saturday after missing nearly one month with left knee tendinopathy. He logged 18 minutes, two fewer than the limit Lakers coach JJ Redick stated before the team lost to the Bulls. Hachimura will likely take on a similar workload if he's allowed to play against the Magic, and he's likely to come off the bench again. |
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