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Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton goes for 23/10 double-double in win
Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 7:35 PM
Deandre Ayton amassed 23 points (10-of-13 FGs, 3-of-6 FTs), 10 rebounds and one assist in the win over the Bulls on Thursday.
Analysis: Ayton was one of several Lakers starters to produce big numbers against Chicago on Thursday. In the win, he finished third on the team in scoring and was one of two players to log double-digit rebounds before finishing with a second straight double-double. Ayton has had his least productive season as a pro to this point, but perhaps he is finding his way down the stretch of the season. He'll have a chance to log a third consecutive double-double on Saturday against the Nuggets. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves posts 30/5/7 line in win over Bulls
Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 7:27 PM
Austin Reaves added 30 points (13-of-20 FGs), five rebounds, seven assists, one steal and four three-pointers in Thursday's win over the Bulls.
Analysis: Reaves was part of a Lakers backcourt that combined for 81 points, 13 three-pointers, and 16 assists on Thursday. Alongside Luka Don?i?, he impressed in his 39 minutes of action, securing a second straight 30-point game. The fifth-year guard has enjoyed a career-best season so far and should remain a reliable option and one of the best guards for fantasy managers as the fantasy playoffs inch closer. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? hangs 51 against Chicago on Thursday
Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 7:20 PM
Melissa Rohlin
Luka Don?i? tallied 51 points (17-of-31 FGs, 8-of-9 FTs), 10 rebounds, nine assists, three steals, one block and nine three-pointers on Thursday against the Bulls.
Analysis: Don?i? was spectacular on Thursday against the Bulls. In the win, he dominated from beyond the arc before logging his first 50-point game as a Los Angeles Laker. He was one of two Lakers to reach double-figures in rebounds, and he finished one assist shy of a triple-double. The Lakers have now won four straight games and are the current No. 3 seed in the Western Conference standings. Fantasy managers should expect Don?i? to have a similar workload the rest of the way as L.A. tries to avoid the Play-In Tournament. |
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LeBron James LAL starts Don?i?, Reaves, James, Hachimura, Ayton
Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 4:17 PM
NBA Lineups
Luka Don?i?, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton will start Thursday's game against the Bulls.
Analysis: LeBron is back in the Lakers' starting lineup after a three-game absence, but Marcus Smart is out with a hip contusion. As a result, Hachimura will remain in the starting five, ensuring that his short-term fantasy value does not take too much of a hit. |
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LeBron James LeBron James (foot, hip) available vs. Chicago
Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 3:44 PM
Dan Woike
LeBron James (foot, hip) is available to play against the Bulls on Thursday.
Analysis: LeBron will make his return after missing three straight games with multiple lower body injuries. His return will push Rui Hachimura back to the bench as they look to keep their three-game winning streak alive. |
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Maxi Kleber Maxi Kleber (back) downgraded to out vs. Chicago
Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 10:07 AM
Dan Woike
Maxi Kleber (back) is out for Thursday's game against the Bulls.
Analysis: Kleber will miss a second straight game with a back injury, joining Jaxson Hayes on the sidelines. Jarred Vanderbilt will once again serve as Deandre Ayton's primary backup, with Drew Timme possibly getting some run as well. |
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Marcus Smart Marcus Smart (hip) downgraded to out vs. Chicago
Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 10:04 AM
Khobi Price
Marcus Smart (hip) has been ruled out against the Bulls on Thursday.
Analysis: Smart was initially listed as doubtful for this game and has now officially been downgraded to out. Jake LaRavia started when Smart was sidelined earlier this season and could return to that role for this game, which would provide him with upside as a streamer. |
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Jaxson Hayes Jaxson Hayes (back) downgraded to out vs. Chicago
Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 10:04 AM
Dan Woike
Jaxson Hayes (back) is out for Thursday's game against the Bulls.
Analysis: Initially probable after sitting out Tuesday's win over the Timberwolves, Hayes will miss a second consecutive game. Jarred Vanderbilt picked up some backup center minutes the last time out, and that will also be the case against the Bulls. |
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LeBron James LeBron James (foot, hip) questionable vs. Chicago
Wed, Mar 11, 2026, 3:52 PM
NBA Injury Report
LeBron James (foot, hip) is questionable for Thursday's game against the Bulls.
Analysis: James has missed the Lakers' last three games, most recently being listed as questionable before it was announced that he would not play against the Timberwolves on Tuesday. If LeBron can play against the Bulls, Rui Hachimuwa will head back to the bench. |
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Maxi Kleber Maxi Kleber (back) questionable vs. Chicago
Wed, Mar 11, 2026, 3:49 PM
NBA Injury Report
Maxi Kleber (back) is questionable for Thursday's game against the Bulls.
Analysis: Like Jaxson Hayes, Kleber was a late scratch for Tuesday's win over the Timberwolves. While his return would give the Lakers additional frontcourt depth, Kleber has not done enough to make an impact in fantasy basketball. |
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Marcus Smart Marcus Smart (hip) doubtful vs. Chicago
Wed, Mar 11, 2026, 3:46 PM
NBA Injury Report
Marcus Smart (hip) is doubtful for Thursday's game against the Bulls.
Analysis: Smart, who took a hard fall during Tuesday's win over the Timberwolves, is on track to sit out Thursday's game with a hip contusion. Jake LaRavia, who Smart replaced in the starting lineup earlier this season, could be the replacement. If so, he would be worth streaming in deep leagues. |
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Jaxson Hayes Jaxson Hayes (back) probable vs. Chicago
Wed, Mar 11, 2026, 3:43 PM
NBA Injury Report
Jaxson Hayes (back) is probable for Thursday's game against the Bulls.
Analysis: Hayes was a late scratch for Tuesday's win over the Timberwolves, with his absence freeing up additional minutes for Jarred Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt would get all of his minutes at the power forward position if Hayes is available on Thursday. Neither player should be rostered in fantasy leagues. |
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Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton posts double-double in 34 minutes
Tue, Mar 10, 2026, 7:43 PM
Deandre Ayton notched 14 points (7-of-11 FGs), 12 rebounds, two assists and one steal in Tuesday's win over the Timberwolves.
Analysis: Ayton did most of his damage before halftime of Tuesday's victory, putting up 12 points and 11 rebounds. While fantasy managers will have wanted to see more production from the 7-footer in the second half, this was still one of Ayton's best performances since the All-Star break. His status as a starter makes Ayton a must-roster player, but it would be nice if he were to be a more consistent force in the middle for the Lakers. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves drops 31 points, eight assists
Tue, Mar 10, 2026, 7:43 PM
Austin Reaves tallied 31 points (10-of-20 FGs, 7-of-9 FTs), seven rebounds, eight assists and four three-pointers in Tuesday's win over the Timberwolves.
Analysis: Despite dealing with a right wrist injury that appeared to give him trouble throughout the night, Reaves recorded his second 30-point stat line since making his return from a strained calf back in early November. With LeBron James (foot) unavailable, Reaves moves up in the offensive pecking order, raising his fantasy ceiling even higher than it already was. The Lakers play two more games in Week 20, starting with the Bulls on Thursday. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? records 31/11/11/2/1 stat line vs. MIN
Tue, Mar 10, 2026, 7:42 PM
Luka Don?i? produced 31 points (11-of-24 FGs, 5-of-6 FTs), 11 rebounds, 11 assists, two steals, one block and four three-pointers in Tuesday's win over the Timberwolves.
Analysis: The Lakers have been without LeBron James for the last three games, and it hasn't mattered much thanks to Don?i?. After putting up 44 and 35 points in wins over the Pacers and Knicks, he recorded his seventh triple-double of the season on Tuesday. The victory moved the Lakers into a tie with the Timberwolves in the Western Conference standings, with the Lakers in fourth for tiebreaker reasons. Don?i? has two more games to play in Week 20, starting with the Bulls on Thursday. |
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Jaxson Hayes Jaxson Hayes (back) late scratch vs. Minnesota
Tue, Mar 10, 2026, 4:58 PM
NBA Injury Report
Jaxson Hayes (back) is out for Tuesday's game against the Timberwolves.
Analysis: Having ruled out Maxi Kleber (back) less than an hour before Tuesday's scheduled tip time, the Lakers announced shortly after that Hayes is also out. Jarred Vanderbilt takes on added importance within the frontcourt rotation, and there may also be a few minutes available to Drew Timme. |
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Maxi Kleber Maxi Kleber (back) late scratch vs. Minnesota
Tue, Mar 10, 2026, 4:58 PM
NBA Injury Report
Maxi Kleber (back) is out for Tuesday's game against the Timberwolves.
Analysis: While the Lakers will have starting center Deandre Ayton for Tuesday's game, they're going to be shorthanded behind him. Kleber won't be available, with the Lakers adding him to the injury report less than an hour before the scheduled tip time. Jarred Vanderbilt may play some backup center minutes, and Drew Timme could enter the rotation as well. |
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LeBron James LeBron (foot, hip) remains out vs. Minnesota
Tue, Mar 10, 2026, 3:18 PM
Mike Trudell
LeBron James (foot, hip) has been ruled out against the Timberwolves on Tuesday.
Analysis: This will be a third straight absence for James, who is nursing multiple injuries. The Lakers have won the last two games with LeBron sidelined and will look to make it three straight in this one, with Rui Hachimura likely to start again. |
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LeBron James LeBron James (foot) officially questionable
Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 2:17 PM
NBA Injury Report
LeBron James (foot) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Timberwolves.
Analysis: James, who did not participate in Monday's low-impact practice, is officially questionable for Tuesday's game. If he's unable to play, Rui Hachimura would get a third consecutive start. |
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LeBron James LeBron James (foot) did not practice Monday
Mon, Mar 9, 2026, 10:35 AM
Mike Trudell
LeBron James (foot) did not participate in Monday's practice.
Analysis: While James did fall hard on his left elbow during Thursday's loss to the Nuggets, arthritis in his left foot has been the bigger issue for the 41-year-old. He's missed the last two games, and after not practicing on Monday, James's having to sit out Tuesday's game against the Timberwolves is a real possibility. Rui Hachimura has moved into the starting lineup and should retain that role until LeBron returns. |
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