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LeBron James LeBron records double-double in season debut
Tue, Nov 18, 2025, 7:33 PM
LeBron James returned to the lineup on Tuesday and contributed 11 points (4-of-7 FGs), three rebounds, 12 assists, one steal and two three-pointers against the Jazz.
Analysis: After missing the first 14 games of the season with sciatica, LeBron was finally able to make his debut for his 23rd season in the NBA. He played just under 30 minutes, which was enough time for him to record a double-double. His first game couldn't have gone much better for the team, but for managers that were expecting his typical dominance, they're going to have to exercise patience. It was only his first game, and he didn't force much. He facilitated well, but he only took seven shots; LeBron didn't take fewer than 10 shots in a game all of last season. The Lakers are playing well, so they'll take the gradual approach of working James into the rotation. Luka Don?i? will run the show, but James will still have plenty of chances to dominate fantasy basketball as the season progresses. Even at 40 years old, he's going to make a huge impact in the box score. For now, it's just a breath of fresh air that he's back out on the floor. |
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Luka Doncic Don?i? stars with 37/5/10/4 line in win over Jazz
Tue, Nov 18, 2025, 7:27 PM
Luka Don?i? led the Lakers with 37 points (11-of-22 FGs, 13-of-16 FTs), five rebounds, 10 assists, four steals, two three-pointers and eight turnovers in a 140-125 win over the Jazz on Tuesday.
Analysis: All eyes were on LeBron James' season debut, but that didn't stop Luka from being Luka. He followed up his 41-point night on Saturday by nearly matching that total in this one while still recording a double-double. LeBron was back and had the ball plenty, but Luka ran the show. There shouldn't have been any worries about James limiting Don?i?, but it's clear that he isn't going to come in and syphon usage. This is Luka's team, which is a great sign for fantasy managers. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves scores 26 points in win over Utah
Tue, Nov 18, 2025, 7:24 PM
Austin Reaves lit up the Jazz with 26 points (7-of-11 FGs, 11-of-12 FTs), five rebounds, one assist, one steal and one three-pointer on Tuesday.
Analysis: Any concerns about the return of LeBron James limiting Reaves can be put to rest. His production may look different, but he's going to continue to be featured heavily on offense. LeBron had 12 assists and and Luka Don?i? had 10, and while it has only been one game, it seems like Reaves is going to take a hit in assists. However, he's still going to see plenty of shot attempts, and he likely won't continue to only have on assist. |
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Deandre Ayton Ayton tallies 20 points, 14 rebounds vs. Utah
Tue, Nov 18, 2025, 7:21 PM
Deandre Ayton recorded a double-double on Tuesday with 20 points (10-of-13 FGs), 14 rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block against the Jazz.
Analysis: For the third game in a row, and for the sixth time this season, Ayton was able to record a 20-point double-double. He has had an excellent year, and the debut of LeBron James didn't negatively impact his usage. Ayton has been active on the glass, and they're feeding him the ball. Both are signs that this level of production will continue, and that this lineup can continue to have success. |
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LeBron James LAL starts Don?i?, Reaves, LeBron, Rui, Ayton
Tue, Nov 18, 2025, 4:11 PM
NBA Lineups
Luka Don?i?, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton will start Tuesday's game against the Jazz.
Analysis: Obviously, LeBron's season debut after missing time with sciatica is the most significant change to the Lakers' lineup. However, it isn't the only one. Hachimura is also back after missing the November 15 win over the Bucks. Due to the availability of James and Hachimura, Jake LaRavia and Bronny James head to the bench. While LaRavia is guaranteed to be in the rotation, Bronny is not. |
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LeBron James LeBron (sciatica) will make season debut vs. Jazz
Tue, Nov 18, 2025, 2:46 PM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports LeBron James (sciatica) will play against the Jazz on Tuesday.
Analysis: The Lakers will be fully healthy for the first time this season. LeBron will likely replace Marcus Smart in the starting lineup, though Smart should still play a significant role off the bench. Since it will be LeBron's first game of the year, head coach JJ Redick will likely keep an eye on his minutes. If he's feeling fine, don't be surprised if James plays a significant role, though the expectation should be that he plays between 25-30 minutes, which is more than enough time for him to flood the stat sheet. |
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LeBron James LeBron James (sciatica) aiming to play Tuesday
Tue, Nov 18, 2025, 9:57 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that LeBron James (sciatica) will go through his gameday routine with the intention of making his season debut on Tuesday against the Jazz.
Analysis: James went through his first team practice on Monday, and he came away without any setbacks. In his first game of the season, expect James to see a minutes restriction. Fantasy managers should get him into lineups if possible and keep an eye on his playing time. The Lakers don't play again until Sunday, so King James will have plenty of time to rest up after Tuesday's debut. |
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Gabe Vincent Gabe Vincent (ankle) questionable Tuesday vs. Utah
Mon, Nov 17, 2025, 2:07 PM
Ryan Ward
Gabe Vincent (ankle) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Jazz.
Analysis: LeBron James isn't the only injured Laker who could be back on the court Tuesday night. Vincent is also considered questionable, but his availability is not as impactful on fantasy basketball. There's no need to roster Vincent in most leagues, especially with Luka Don?i?, Austin Reaves and Marcus Smart available. |
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LeBron James Shams: LeBron (sciatica) set for Lakers practice
Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 6:05 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports LeBron James (sciatica) will practice with the Lakers on Monday.
Analysis: This jives with a previous report from ESPN's Dave McMenamin that LeBron would rejoin the Lakers at practice next week. James participated in multiple practices with the organization's G League affiliate earlier this week. Assuming he makes it through practice without issue, the Lakers' next game is against the Jazz on Tuesday. |
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Luka Doncic Don?i? explodes for 41 points in win over Bucks
Sat, Nov 15, 2025, 4:40 PM
Luka Don?i? powered the Lakers to a 119-95 blowout win over with Bucks on Saturday with 41 points (9-of-19 FGs, 18-of-20 FTs), nine rebounds, six assists, one steal and two blocks over 38 minutes.
Analysis: The Lakers raced out to a commanding 63-34 halftime lead thanks to a 21-point first-half eruption from Don?i?, who knocked down six of 13 shots ??" including three from beyond the arc ??" while also converting six free throws. He eclipsed the 40-point mark for the fourth time this season with three minutes remaining when he got to the line for his 20th free throw of the contest. It was an impressive all-around, stat-stuffing effort on the second night of a back-to-back following Friday's win over the Pelicans. The 26-year-old generational talent is averaging 34.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 0.6 blocks through 10 games this season. The Lakers are hopeful LeBron James (sciatica) will be ready to make his season debut Tuesday against the Jazz back in Los Angeles when they return to action. |
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Austin Reaves Reaves scores 25 points with eight dimes in win
Sat, Nov 15, 2025, 4:32 PM
Austin Reaves registered 25 points (9-of-17 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), six rebounds, eight assists and one steal over 36 minutes in Saturday's victory over the Bucks.
Analysis: Reaves has topped 20 points in three of four games since returning from a three-game absence earlier this month due to a groin injury. The 27-year-old guard has looked like an excellent complementary scorer and playmaking facilitator this season with LeBron James (sciatica) sidelined, averaging 28.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 1.4 steals through 11 games. |
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Deandre Ayton Ayton notches 20-point, 10-rebound double-double
Sat, Nov 15, 2025, 4:28 PM
Deandre Ayton accounted for 20 points (9-of-13 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), 10 rebounds, two steals and one block during Saturday's win over the Bucks.
Analysis: Ayton torched the Bucks for 16 first-half points, draining seven of 10 shots from the field, while also pulling down six rebounds as the Lakers built a 31-point advantage at the half. He scored just four more points in the second half, but his early outburst was enough to help power the Lakers to their 10th win in 14 games to start the year. He's outperformed conservative expectations so far, averaging 16.2 points and 8.4 rebounds through 13 contests in his Los Angeles debut. |
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Marcus Smart Marcus Smart (illness) ruled out vs. Milwaukee
Sat, Nov 15, 2025, 12:07 PM
Dave McMenamin
Marcus Smart (illness) has been ruled out against the Bucks on Saturday.
Analysis: With Smart unavailable, Jake LaRavia and Dalton Knecht should take on extra minutes, with one of them sliding into the starting lineup. Rookie Adou Thiero could also make his NBA debut with Smart out. He won't play enough to be worth streaming, but he's worth keeping tabs on. |
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Luka Doncic Don?i?, Reaves absent from injury report
Sat, Nov 15, 2025, 8:25 AM
Daniel Starkand
Luka Don?i? (leg) and Austin Reaves (groin) are not on the injury report for Saturday's game against the Bucks.
Analysis: Don?i? and Reaves played 40 and 39 minutes, respectively, in Friday's win over the Pelicans. However, despite the heavy workload and the time missed earlier this season due to lower-body injuries, neither player is on the initial injury report for Saturday night. The Lakers' upcoming schedule may be a factor, as they play only two games over the seven days following Saturday's game against the Bucks. |
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Marcus Smart Marcus Smart (illness) questionable Saturday
Sat, Nov 15, 2025, 8:21 AM
Daniel Starkand
Marcus Smart (illness) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Bucks.
Analysis: Smart is dealing with a viral illness, hence his appearance on the injury report after playing 34 minutes in Friday's win over the Pelicans. While there would be more minutes available to Dalton Knecht, he's not worth the streaming risk if Smart sits. |
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Rui Hachimura Rui Hachimura (calf) out Saturday vs. Milwaukee
Sat, Nov 15, 2025, 8:18 AM
Daniel Starkand
Rui Hachimura (calf) is out for Saturday's game against the Bucks.
Analysis: Hachimura, who played 35 minutes in Friday's win over the Pelicans, is dealing with a sore left calf. His absence opens up a spot in the starting lineup, with Jake LaRavia and Jarred Vanderbilt being potential replacements. Of the two, LaRavia offers the higher fantasy ceiling, even if he remains with the bench unit. |
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LeBron James Report: LeBron might rejoin LAL practices next wk
Sat, Nov 15, 2025, 2:26 AM
ESPN
ESPN's Dave McMenamin reports that LeBron James (sciatica) may possibly resume practicing with the Lakers early next week.
Analysis: While the Lakers were on their current road trip, which ends on Saturday in Milwaukee, James practiced with the team's G League affiliate on Wednesday and Thursday. The second session included some 5-on-5 work, after which James felt no ill effects. According to McMenamin, there's a chance that LeBron rejoins the Lakers for practice on Monday, provided no issues arise over the weekend. Following Saturday, the Lakers don't play again until Tuesday against the Jazz in the first of two games on the team's Week 5 schedule (the second is at Utah on November 23). |
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Deandre Ayton Domin-Ayton shoots 10-of-11, posts 20/16 line
Fri, Nov 14, 2025, 5:59 PM
Deandre Ayton recorded a double-double on Friday with 20 points (10-of-11 FGs), 16 rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block against the Pelicans.
Analysis: Domin-Ayton made an appearance in this game early on, which led to him recording a double-double before halftime. This was Ayton's fourth 20/10 double-double this season, but this one was far more efficient than the rest. Ayton has been inconsistent, but he has had some really good games as a Laker so far. If he continues playing this well, they'll be a difficult team to beat. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves drops team-best 31 points vs. Pels
Fri, Nov 14, 2025, 5:50 PM
Dan Woike
Austin Reaves led the Lakers with 31 points (9-of-16 FGs, 11-of-13 FTs), four rebounds, seven assists, one steal, one block and two three-pointers in a 118-104 win over the Pelicans on Friday.
Analysis: Reaves got off to a blazing hot start to open the year, but after missing three games with a groin injury, he cooled off. However, he got back to being a dominant offensive force in this one. Reaves shot at least 50 percent from the floor in each of his first four games and followed that up by shooting below 50 percent five straight games entering this one. Lakers coach JJ Redick said he expects Reaves to be available against the Bucks on Saturday, but considering the groin injury, it's worth checking back here for updates. |
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Luka Doncic Don?i? puts up 24/7/12/2/1 line vs. New Orleans
Fri, Nov 14, 2025, 5:43 PM
Dan Woike
Luka Don?i? posted a full line on Friday with 24 points (6-of-16 FGs, 9-of-13 FTs), seven rebounds, 12 assists, two steals, one block and three three-pointers against the Pelicans.
Analysis: Don?i? was excellent early on in this game and fell one assist shy of entering halftime with a double-double. Unfortunately, he didn't add much after the break, which led to an underwhelming night to Don?i?'s lofty standards. He opened the year with three straight 40-point outings, but he hasn't been as dominant as a scorer recently. It's worth noting that he hasn't played both legs of a back-to-back this season, so check back for an update on his status ahead of Saturday's game against the Bucks, though Lakers Coach JJ Redick said he expects him to be available. |
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