| News |
|---|
|
LeBron James LeBron, Luka, Reaves, Ayton, Rui to start vs. PHX
Mon, Dec 1, 2025, 3:45 PM
NBA Lineups
The Lakers will start LeBron James, Luka Don?i?, Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton on Monday against the Suns.
Analysis: James (foot) will return from a one-game absence and re-enter the Lakers' starting lineup as they take on the Suns on the second night of a back-to-back. The Lakers currently hold a 15-4 record and find themselves in second place in the Western Conference. They've won seven straight and have a chance to extend their streak to eight games with a win on Monday. |
|
Marcus Smart Redick: Marcus Smart (back) expected back soon
Mon, Dec 1, 2025, 2:27 PM
Mike Trudell
Lakers Coach JJ Redick said that they expect Marcus Smart âto be back soon.â
Analysis: Redick said it's ânot a long-term thing.â Monday will be a third straight absence for Smart, but he could end up returning by Thursday to take on Toronto, which would cut into Gabe Vincent's role. |
|
Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton (knee) available Monday vs. Phoenix
Mon, Dec 1, 2025, 10:11 AM
Daniel Starkand
Deandre Ayton (knee) is available for Monday's game against the Suns.
Analysis: Despite banging knees during the fourth quarter of Sunday's win over the Pelicans, Ayton is good to go for Sunday's matchup with the franchise that selected him first overall in the 2018 draft. As a result, Jaxson Hayes will miss out on an opportunity to start and become a deep-league streaming option. |
|
LeBron James LeBron James (foot) available Monday vs. Phoenix
Mon, Dec 1, 2025, 10:09 AM
Daniel Starkand
LeBron James (foot) is available for Monday's game against the Suns.
Analysis: James did not play in Sunday's win over the Pelicans, with Gabe Vincent moving into the starting lineup. Vincent will head to the bench, eliminating what little streaming value he possessed on Sunday. |
|
Marcus Smart Marcus Smart (back) out Monday vs. Phoenix
Mon, Dec 1, 2025, 10:07 AM
Daniel Starkand
Marcus Smart (back) is out for Monday's game against the Suns.
Analysis: Smart will miss a third straight game with back spasms, freeing up rotation minutes for Gabe Vincent. However, with everyone else available, Vincent is unlikely to get the opportunities needed to impact fantasy basketball. |
|
Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton (knee) exits during fourth quarter
Sun, Nov 30, 2025, 6:23 PM
Law Murray
Deandre Ayton (knee) accounted for 22 points (7-of-9 FGs, 8-of-8 FTs), 12 rebounds, one assist and four blocked shots in Sunday's win over the Pelicans.
Analysis: Ayton, who missed the Lakers' November 25 win over the Clippers with a right knee injury, may have aggravated the injury during the fourth quarter of Sunday's victory. He banged knees with Derik Queen, and while Ayton returned to the game after the first timeout called to get him off the floor, he didn't last long before needing to ask for a sub. With the Suns hosting the Suns on Monday, this could be a spot where Jaxson Hayes (8/6/2/0/2 in 21 minutes) receives the starting nod, with Ayton getting the night off. However, Ayton did not sound concerned about the injury while in the locker room after the win, which may bode well for his availability for Monday night. |
|
Austin Reaves Austin Reaves posts 33/5/8/1/1 line in victory
Sun, Nov 30, 2025, 6:18 PM
Austin Reaves amassed 33 points (9-of-15 FGs, 11-of-12 FTs), five rebounds, eight assists, one steal, one block and four three-pointers in Sunday's win over the Pelicans.
Analysis: Reaves and Luka Don?i? combined to score 67 points on Sunday, and they also shot 23-of-26 from the foul line. Reaves has scored 30 points or more in three straight outings, his most consistent run of the season to date. The lone concern in the short term is the Lakers' schedule, as they play the second game of a back-to-back on Monday and will have another one later in Week 7. Reaves did play both games of the team's most recent back-to-back, so there may not be a reason for fantasy managers to worry. |
|
Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? records 34/12/7/1/1 line vs. NOR
Sun, Nov 30, 2025, 6:14 PM
Luka Don?i? finished Sunday's win over the Pelicans with 34 points (9-of-22 FGs, 12-of-14 FTs), 12 rebounds, seven assists, one steal, one block and four three-pointers.
Analysis: The Pelicans could not find an answer for Don?i? or Austin Reaves, and that has been the case for many teams this season. The tandem combined to score 67 points, more than shouldering the load as the Lakers played without LeBron James. Don?i? has scored at least 33 points in six consecutive games, one reason why he has been the top-ranked player in nine-cat formats over the past two weeks. The Lakers play four games in Week 7, starting with the Suns on Monday, and they've got another back-to-back to navigate later in the week. |
|
Gabe Vincent Gabe Vincent starting in place of LeBron James
Sun, Nov 30, 2025, 3:12 PM
Dave McMenamin
Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton will start against the Pelicans on Sunday.
Analysis: With LeBron James sitting out the first leg of this back-to-back, Vincent will replace him in the starting unit. This is a smaller lineup for the Lakers, but Vincent should be able to supply some triples as a starter. |
|
LeBron James LeBron James (foot) out Sunday vs. Pelicans
Sun, Nov 30, 2025, 6:52 AM
Chris B. Haynes
NBA insider Chris B. Haynes reports that LeBron James (foot) is out for Sunday's matchup with the Pelicans.
Analysis: James will sit out the first leg of Los Angeles' back-to-back set, and fantasy managers should expect him to take the court Monday against the Suns. With James sidelined, Jake LaRavia could slot into the Lakers' starting five against New Orleans. |
|
Marcus Smart Marcus Smart (back) doubtful Sunday vs. NOR
Sat, Nov 29, 2025, 2:39 PM
NBA Injury Report
Marcus Smart (back) is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Pelicans.
Analysis: Due to back spasms, Smart did not play in Friday's win over the Mavericks. With the doubtful tag, it appears likely that he'll miss a second straight game. Gabe Vincent picked up additional minutes with Smart unavailable, and that would likely be the case on Sunday as well. However, Vincent is not worth streaming in most leagues. |
|
LeBron James LeBron James (foot) questionable Sunday vs. NOR
Sat, Nov 29, 2025, 2:36 PM
NBA Injury Report
LeBron James (foot) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Pelicans.
Analysis: The good news is that LeBron's injury is a matter of left foot injury management, as Sunday's game is the first of two in as many nights for the Lakers. Given the opposition, don't be surprised if LeBron sits with an eye toward Monday's matchup with the Suns. If he doesn't play, Jake LaRavia is the player most likely to move into the starting lineup. |
|
LeBron James LeBron James dishes out seven assists vs. Dallas
Fri, Nov 28, 2025, 6:55 PM
LeBron James accounted for 13 points (5-of-13 FGs, 1-of-4 FTs), five rebounds, seven assists, one steal and two three-pointers in Friday's win over the Mavericks.
Analysis: After scoring 25 points in Tuesday's win over the Clippers, LeBron took a back seat to Austin Reaves and Luka Don?i? on Friday, as they combined to score 73 points. However, he still provided solid value in rebounds, assists and three-pointers as the Lakers finished NBA Cup group play undefeated. The explicit goal for LeBron and the Lakers is to ensure he's healthy for the stretch run, and they can afford to take that approach with Don?i?, Reaves and Deandre Ayton on the roster. While that may lower James' fantasy ceiling, his floor will be fine. |
|
Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton records 17/8/2/1/2 line in victory
Fri, Nov 28, 2025, 6:55 PM
Deandre Ayton tallied 17 points (8-of-9 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), eight rebounds, two assists, one steal and two blocks in Friday's win over the Mavericks.
Analysis: Ayton appears to be getting more comfortable with his new teammates and what's required of him on a game-by-game basis. He finished Friday's win two rebounds shy of a double-double, but fantasy managers received a complete stat line from the 7-footer. So far, Ayton's fit with the Lakers has been good, and LeBron James' move into the starting lineup has not done severe damage to the center's fantasy value. |
|
Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? posts 35/5/11/0/1 line vs. Dallas
Fri, Nov 28, 2025, 6:54 PM
Luka Don?i? finished Friday's win over the Mavericks with 35 points (10-of-18 FGs, 11-of-11 FTs), five rebounds, 11 assists, one blocked shot and four three-pointers.
Analysis: Don?i? has scored at least 33 points in five straight games, and he finished Friday's victory with his 11th double-double of the season. Over the past two weeks, he sits atop the fantasy rankings in eight- and nine-cat formats. While players like Nikola Joki? and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander boast higher season-long values, no one is on the roll that Don?i? is currently on. |
|
Austin Reaves Austin Reaves goes off for 38 points vs. Dallas
Fri, Nov 28, 2025, 6:54 PM
Austin Reaves recorded 38 points (12-of-15 FGs, 8-of-9 FTs), eight rebounds, three assists and six three-pointers in Friday's win over the Lakers.
Analysis: The tandem of Reaves and Luka Don?i? took over on Friday, as they combined to score 73 points on 22-of-33 shooting from the field. The former has scored at least 30 points in five games this season, halfway to his total for the entire 2024-25 campaign. Also, Reaves' 38 points were the most he's scored in a game since October 27, when he dropped 41 against the Trail Blazers. |
|
Marcus Smart Marcus Smart (back) ruled out vs. Dallas
Fri, Nov 28, 2025, 2:34 PM
NBA Injury Report
Marcus Smart (back) has been ruled out against the Mavericks on Friday.
Analysis: Smart has officially been ruled out after being downgraded from questionable to doubtful earlier in the day. Gabe Vincent and Dalton Knecht should take on larger roles with Smart unavailable, though it is unlikely that either ends up being worth a stream. |
|
Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton (knee) available Friday vs. Mavs
Fri, Nov 28, 2025, 9:41 AM
NBA Injury Report
Deandre Ayton (knee) is available for Friday's matchup with the Mavericks.
Analysis: As expected, Ayton will take the court against Dallas. He'll have to contend with Anthony Davis, who is making his return on Friday following a 14-game absence. Davis will likely see a minutes restriction, while Ayton should handle a typical workload. |
|
Marcus Smart Marcus Smart (back) downgraded to doubtful
Fri, Nov 28, 2025, 9:36 AM
Trevor Lane
Lakers reporter Trevor Lane reports that Marcus Smart (back) has been downgraded to doubtful for Friday's matchup with the Mavericks.
Analysis: With Smart unlikely to take the court against Dallas, expect Gabe Vincent and Dalton Knecht to absorb his minutes. Neither Vincent nor Knecht are particularly appealing for fantasy purposes. |
|
Marcus Smart Marcus Smart (back) questionable Friday vs. Dallas
Thu, Nov 27, 2025, 2:12 PM
Trevor Lane
Marcus Smart (back) is questionable for Friday's game against the Mavericks.
Analysis: Smart, who played 20 minutes in Tuesday's win over the Clippers, is dealing with back spasms. If he's unable to play on Friday, Gabe Vincent and Dalton Knecht may absorb the available minutes. However, neither has been productive enough to merit streaming, especially with Luka Don?i? and Austin Reaves available. |
Connect With Us:
