| News |
|---|
|
Jake LaRavia Jake LaRavia records 12/11/6/2 line vs. LAC
Sat, Dec 20, 2025, 7:25 PM
Jake LaRavia tallied 12 points (5-of-11 FGs, 2-of-4 FTs), 11 rebounds, six assists and two steals in Saturday's loss to the Clippers.
Analysis: Inserted into the Lakers' starting lineup due to Rui Hachimura (groin) being sidelined, LaRavia posted his first double-double of the season. Add in the assists and steals, and this was one of his best performances of the season. Hachimura could also miss Tuesday's game against the Suns, which would raise LaRavia's fantasy ceiling in the short term. |
|
LeBron James LeBron James posts season-high 36 points vs. LAC
Sat, Dec 20, 2025, 7:24 PM
LeBron James accumulated 36 points (15-of-28 FGs, 3-of-5 FTs), four rebounds, three assists, two steals and three three-pointers in Saturday's loss to the Clippers.
Analysis: With Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton unavailable and Luka Don?i? not returning for the second half, James was left to do most of the heavy lifting offensively. The Lakers' forward, who turns 41 on December 30, showed that he still has plenty left in the tank, dropping his first 30-point game of the season. And over the last two weeks, LeBron has been close to a first-round player in eight-cat, 12-team formats. The Lakers play three games in Week 10, starting with the Suns on Tuesday. |
|
Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? (leg) will not return Saturday
Sat, Dec 20, 2025, 6:21 PM
Brett Siegel
Luka Don?i? (leg) will not return to Saturday's game against the Clippers.
Analysis: Don?i? suffered a left leg contusion during the second quarter of Saturday's game. While he finished out the half, the decision was made during the intermission that the Lakers' star was done for the night. Dalton Knecht started the third quarter, and his viability as a streamer moving forward depends on the availability of both Don?i? and Austin Reaves. |
|
Jake LaRavia LAL starts Don?i?, Smart, LaRavia, James, Hayes
Sat, Dec 20, 2025, 4:16 PM
NBA Lineups
Luka Don?i?, Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia, LeBron James and Jaxson Hayes will start Saturday's game against the Clippers.
Analysis: Already without Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton, the Lakers will also be without Rui Hachimura for Saturday's game. LaRavia has been moved into the starting lineup, and he's worth streaming in deep leagues due to the Lakers' lack of healthy options. Also, look for Jarred Vanderbilt to figure more prominently off the bench. |
|
Rui Hachimura Rui Hachimura (groin) ruled out vs. Clippers
Sat, Dec 20, 2025, 8:29 AM
Law Murray
Rui Hachimura (groin) has been ruled out against the Clippers on Saturday.
Analysis: Hachimura has been downgraded after initially being listed as questionable. His absence will likely open up a starting spot for Jake LaRavia, who has been productive in seven starts this season. Dalton Knecht should also play a larger role off the bench. |
|
Rui Hachimura Rui Hachimura (groin) questionable vs. Clippers
Fri, Dec 19, 2025, 2:17 PM
Law Murray
Rui Hachimura (groin) is questionable to play against the Clippers on Saturday.
Analysis: Hachimura could miss a game for just the second time this season, which would likely allow Jake LaRavia to get the starting nod in place. In seven starts this season, LaRavia is averaging 10.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game. |
|
Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton (elbow) to remain out Saturday
Fri, Dec 19, 2025, 2:17 PM
Ryan Ward
Deandre Ayton (elbow) is out for Saturday's game against the Clippers.
Analysis: Ayton will miss a second straight game with a sore right elbow. While Jaxson Hayes started Thursday's win over the Jazz, he only played 22 minutes, with Jarred Vanderbilt logging 25 off the bench. With the Clippers having Ivica Zubac in their starting lineup, Hayes may pick up a few more minutes on Saturday. |
|
LeBron James LeBron James has 28/7/10 line in win over Suns
Thu, Dec 18, 2025, 6:16 PM
LeBron James had 28 points (8-of-17 FGs, 12-of-13 FTs), seven rebounds, 10 assists and one steal against the Suns on Thursday.
Analysis: While Luka Doncic will garner the most headlines for his 45-point triple-double with five steals, LeBron was pretty solid in this game too. The soon-to-be 41-year-old small forward had 28 points and was just three rebounds shy of a triple-double himself. James and the Lakers finish up a two-game week Saturday against the Clippers. |
|
Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? has 45-point triple-double in win
Thu, Dec 18, 2025, 6:12 PM
Luka Don?i? had 45 points (14-of-28 FGs, 13-of-16 FTs), 11 rebounds, 14 assists, five steals and four three-pointers in the Lakers' 143-136 victory over the Jazz on Thursday.
Analysis: Don?i? was relentless against the Jazz on Thursday. The 26-year-old point guard dropped haymaker after haymaker on his way to 45 points in the victory. Don?i? also had 11 rebounds and 14 assists on his way to a triple-double. He joined Cade Cunningham as the only players since steals became official to have a 45-point triple-double with five steals. Don?i? only had one turnover in the contest, leaving managers in nine-category leagues nothing to complain about with his performance. |
|
Maxi Kleber Maxi Kleber (back) available Thursday vs. Utah
Thu, Dec 18, 2025, 8:41 AM
NBA Injury Report
Maxi Kleber (back) is available for Thursday's matchup with the Jazz.
Analysis: No surprise here, as Kleber was listed as probable on Wednesday. Deandre Ayton (elbow) has been ruled out, but Jaxson Hayes and Jarred Vanderbilt will be the most likely beneficiaries from a fantasy standpoint. Kleber could see some run off the bench, but it likely won't amount to much production for fantasy managers. |
|
Gabe Vincent Gabe Vincent (back) questionable Thursday vs. Utah
Wed, Dec 17, 2025, 1:36 PM
Dave McMenamin
Gabe Vincent (back) is questionable for Thursday's game against the Jazz.
Analysis: While Austin Reaves' absence with a strained calf has freed up additional minutes on the perimeter, Vincent has benefited in terms of fantasy value. Fantasy managers can afford to leave him on the waiver wire if he's available on Thursday. |
|
Maxi Kleber Maxi Kleber (back) probable Thursday vs. Utah
Wed, Dec 17, 2025, 1:31 PM
Dave McMenamin
Maxi Kleber (back) is probable for Thursday's game against the Jazz.
Analysis: Even with Deandre Ayton (elbow) ruled out, Kleber is unlikely to get the run needed to affect fantasy basketball if he plays on Thursday. Leave him on the waiver wire. |
|
Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton (elbow) out Thursday vs. Utah
Wed, Dec 17, 2025, 1:25 PM
Dave McMenamin
Deandre Ayton (elbow) is out for Thursday's game against the Jazz.
Analysis: Ayton is dealing with a sore right elbow, forcing his absence for Thursday's game. Jaxson Hayes has been the replacement in the past, and that should be the case against the Jazz. He's only worth a look in deep leagues where there's a need for blocks and a high field-goal percentage. |
|
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. |
|
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), three 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. |
|
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 harm the turnover category. The Lakers play two games in Week 9, starting with the Jazz on Thursday. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
Connect With Us:
